Unwilling to place himself underneath strain of standard 90m throws, Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra says he has an excellent feeling about Tuesday’s Golden Spike Athletics meet right here as he builds up for his final goal this 12 months — a high end on the World Championship in Tokyo.
Chopra defeated Julian Weber to win the Paris Diamond League with a throw of 88.16 m final week. The two-time Olympic medallist stated with Czech nice Jan Zelezny by his facet as his coach and together with his personal willpower, he is assured of fine outcomes.
The 27-year-old is using excessive on his maiden 90m-plus throw that he achieved within the season-opening Diamond League meet in Doha.
“I am really happy to work with such a great athlete and coach. I’ve already thrown 90m this year after a little bit more improvement in technique. So let’s see when it comes next time but I am ready. Recently we’ve done good training in Nymburk (Czech Republic) so I’ll do my best here in Ostrava,” he stated.
“Main goal for the season is obviously World Championships in Tokyo,” added the Haryana lad who received a gold on the earlier version of the biennial showpiece.
Chopra stated part of his pleasure for Tuesday’s occasion comes from watching on TV greats like Usain Bolt compete right here previously.
“When I was a kid, I watched a lot of videos and photos of athletes like Usain Bolt competing here. I came last year but I didn’t compete because of injury.
“Now I feel good, but I don’t want to put any pressure on myself for 90 m. But I’ll try really hard,” he stated.
The World Athletics Championships will probably be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 this 12 months. Chopra, who received gold within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver in 2024 Paris, spoke extremely about his coach Zelezny.
“When I competed at the Diamond League in Doha, there were a lot of Indian people who wanted to take pictures with Jan. And they are sometimes… very intense so I was a bit worried about him. But he left for the hotel quickly,” he stated.
Besides the World Championships, Chopra is additionally excited in regards to the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw meet to be held in Bengaluru on July 5.
“This will be my first really serious competition in India with international athletes, on July 5. I still have to manage a lot of things before competition but it will be a good experience,” he stated.
“So now it would not be good if I said no to people. And I’m happy that now in India people recognise other sports than cricket,” he added.
Talking about his gold-winning throw within the Paris Diamond League, Chopra stated he is proud of the trouble regardless of not having the ability to contact the 90m mark.
Chopra’s coach Zelezny was additionally fairly happy with the progress of his ward.
“I am happy about the situation. It’s important for javelin and throws in general, as athletics is not only about sprints. Neeraj opened the doors to other countries; it’s great for our sport,” he stated.
