Asian Games: Why Neeraj Chopra's first javelin throw was 'disallowed'

The much-anticipated men's javelin throw event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, was marred by controversy in measuring the distance, leaving India's ace athlete Neeraj Chopra high and dry.

The Olympic champion seemed to have guaranteed a podium finish if not a gold medal straightaway with his first throw, letting out his trademark roar and pointing to the sky. But, to everyone's surprise, before the officials declared Chopra's distance, Kuwait's Abdulrahman Alazemi threw the javelin.

The event was halted as the officials conferred with each other. After a lengthy discussion, they finally disallowed Chopra's first throw and asked him to go again, much to his dismay.