We’re now a javelin powerhouse: Neeraj Chopra

Among his several qualities, Neeraj Chopra’s self-restraint is one worth admiring the most. This virtue serves him well when the media bombards him with all kinds of queries including the ever-persistent one: “When will you cross the 90m mark?” Neeraj always fields the questions with remarkable calm. After he returned to India last week from Hangzhou, having defended his Asiad javelin title, Neeraj answered the said question yet again: “I had said earlier in the season that I want to finish off the 90m question. So sorry I couldn’t do it. Now, I guess I have given you the chance to ask me again about it in the next year.”
“Since 2018, it was a possibility to cross 90m. At the Asian Games (in 2018), I threw 88.06m, then I had an injury in 2019, then Covid happened but I managed to qualify for the Olympics. In 2021 also, I had good preparation. In 2022 and 2023 also I threw close with 88s and 89s. So I don’t know, I am also waiting for that. The 90m is not impossible because if I am getting close, I can go beyond 90m, may be 92m or 93m. Now I am consistent at one score, so my main focus will be to first cross the 90-mark and then stay consistent in that score,” he added.
Neeraj may have won all the titles that the sport has to offer at a relatively young age of 25, but feels there is more to him. “I am happy that I pushed myself (at the Asian Games) and ended with a season-best effort. But it also made me wonder if I were fit and 100 per cent in my technique then how far could I have thrown. So I have to find how I can achieve my full potential, because I feel I am still a lot away from that,” he said.
The Asian Games javelin final also saw another Indian sharing the spotlight with Neeraj. Kishore Jena broke his personal best twice to finish second. Jena’s performance was another proof of India’s growing stature in javelin. A month back, Neeraj, Jena and DP Manu had finished in the top 6 in the World Athletics in Budapest.
“I always dreamt that like how the Germans, Czech or Finnish javelin throwers have dominated the sport, we (Indians) should also have three-four world class throwers who can win medals for the country at any big competition. It feels good that we are now dominating the sport,” Neeraj said.
“I am usually the only Indian on the podium and it was so good to have Kishore alongside at the Asian Games. Hopefully, one day we will have three Indians on the podium. Uska alag hi maza hoga.”