Winning gold within the World Championships in August and breaching the “magical” 90m mark are Neeraj Chopra’s targets this yr because the star javelin thrower seeks to keep injury free in view of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chopra, who begins his season on the Doha leg of the distinguished Diamond League Meetings on May 5, had received a silver within the 2022 World Championships in USA, a yr after clinching a historic gold within the Tokyo Olympics.
“It is going to be a long season this time, the Asian Games (javelin event) is going to be in October. I will try to stay away from injury, hoping for a successful as well healthy season,” Chopra mentioned from his present base in Turkey throughout a digital interplay.
“I want to win gold in the World Championships in Hungary but there is no pressure whether I do it this time or later. I need to be better technically this year as the season is long,” mentioned the 25-year-old, who’s at present coaching on the Gloria Sports Arena in Antalya, Turkey since April 1.
Paris Olympics
Talking concerning the Paris Olympics, he mentioned, “There will be expectation and more pressure to win gold in Paris, so I will be even better prepared than Tokyo Olympics when I go to Paris.
“But hopefully, with the learning and experience from all these years, I hope I will be able to maintain myself, be consistent and get better every time I compete. Of course, the Tokyo gold will motivate me do better in Paris. I will work harder to do even better than Tokyo.”
He mentioned as in contrast to final yr, he’s in a greater situation at this cut-off date bodily and technically. Last yr, he didn’t participate within the Doha Diamond League and started his season solely in June on the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, one month later than this time.
“Last year, I was not ready (for Doha) in terms of overall fitness, strength and technically also. There was less time for training. So, we decided to start late. Now everything is going on well, so we decided to compete in Doha where some of the best in the world will be taking part.
“Technically and physically, I am much improved than last year. Also, I have been training for a longer time now. Hoping that it will be a successful season for me.”
Looking to cross 90m mark
Chopra, the reigning Diamond League champion after profitable the grand finale in September final, will be a part of world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic in Doha within the first meet of the 14-leg one-day sequence of the season.
Chopra had earlier taken half in Doha Diamond League in 2018 when he had completed fourth with a greatest throw of 87.43m.
He mentioned he would even be trying to cross the 90m mark this yr, although he’s not placing himself below strain to obtain the feat.
“Everybody has been asking about 90m mark since 2018. Last year, I was just 6cm short of 90m. I hope to do it this year but I will not put any pressure on myself.
“90m is a magical mark and 90m club is famous in world of javelin. I hope to enter it this year,” mentioned Chopra who has a private greatest of 89.94m.
Asked if there was any lesson he has learnt in the previous few years, he mentioned, on hindsight, he shouldn’t have gone for his fifth and sixth throws after injuring himself throughout the World Championships in Eugene, USA, final yr.
The injury led to Chopra pulling out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham the place he was to defend the gold he had received in 2018.
“After I suffered the injury during fourth throw, I went to coach (Klaus Bartonietz) and physio (Ishaan Marwaha) and told them that I will not go for fifth and sixth throws. But later, I could not stop myself, I put straps (around thigh) and went for the throws. If at all there is a lesson to be learnt, I hope I will not do like that in future.”
After his silver-winning throw of 88.13m in his fourth try, Chopra went for his fifth and sixth throws which had been, nonetheless, fouls.
Chopra mentioned nothing is confirmed about future occasions aside from the Doha Diamond League. Last yr, he took half in solely three prime class occasions earlier than the World Championships.
“We will plan to take part in Diamond League meetings and Continental Tour events but nothing is final as yet beyond Doha. Last year also, we planned for more events but, due to travelling and training issues, I could not take part in some.” The famous person javelin thrower can also be upbeat concerning the rising profile of the game within the nation in addition to that of athletics as a complete.
“We now have seven to eight javelin throwers who have thrown above 80m. I think few countries in the world would be having these many 80m plus javelin throwers. So, an 80m thrower will not be a sure shot medal winner now.
“Not only in javelin, the other countries now know that India is coming up as a performing country in the athletics world.” Chopra knowledgeable that 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal winner triple jumper Eldhose Paul can also be participating within the Doha Diamond League in his occasion.
