Does Neeraj Chopra Wish He Had Sachin Tendulkar's Superpower?

Bengaluru, June 30 (NationPress) Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra expressed his desire to possess the remarkable ability of cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar to excel under pressure. Neeraj, who recently triumphed at the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike meet, is making waves with the launch of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event. This prestigious World Athletics ‘A’ category competition is set to take place on July 5 at the Sree Kanteerva Stadium in Bengaluru.

In an interview with Star Sports, when asked which cricketer's exceptional talent he would like to emulate for javelin throwing, the reigning world champion immediately mentioned Tendulkar.

“I would choose Sachin Tendulkar. He has represented our nation admirably for years, setting numerous records. His ability to face formidable bowlers and still perform at an elite level is something I aspire to embody. That superpower would aid me in confronting challenges with a composed mindset,” Chopra shared with Star Sports.

The 27-year-old javelin star also highlighted that he believes former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who had a javelin throwing background, and Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah would excel in the javelin throw. “I’ve heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. During his peak, he could have thrown the javelin exceptionally well. I would love to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah and hope he shares some bowling techniques with me. Though both bowling and javelin are types of throws, they differ significantly. I aim to learn from Bumrah,” he added.

Chopra remarked that former Indian captain MS Dhoni’s iconic 'Helicopter Shot' shares similarities with the javelin throw in both power and technique.

Regarding his pre-event superstitions, he mentioned, “I focus on remaining calm on the day of my event. I avoid overthinking and concentrate on delivering my best. Staying relaxed, eating healthy, and ensuring proper rest are my priorities.”

In conclusion, the javelin star shared the invaluable advice he received from his coach, Jan Zelezny, a world record holder in javelin with a throw of 98.48 metres. “While I tend to be energetic during my throws, he emphasizes the importance of running in a fluid manner. I should move freely, like an 18-year-old, without feeling tense.

“I’m gradually grasping the concept of flow. In any sport, achieving flow is crucial. Take Roger Federer for instance—he played with such elegance and rhythm that it never appeared he exerted excessive effort. I strive to incorporate that sense of flow into my training,” he concluded.