Is Neeraj Chopra Ready to Throw 90 Metres in Future Competitions?

Paris, June 21 (NationPress) Following his triumph at the Paris Diamond League, two-time Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has expressed his determination to achieve a throw of 90 metres in future competitions.

With an impressive throw of 88.16m on his initial attempt at Stade Charlety last Saturday, Chopra secured his first Diamond League title in two years, surpassing Germany's Julian Weber, who finished second with a throw of 87.88m, while Brazil's Luiz Mauricio da Silva took third place with a throw of 86.62m in the third round.

Chopra shared his joy after standing atop the podium in the French capital.

"I was really pleased with my start today as my run-up technique was spot on, and everything felt just right. However, I noticed my body was leaning too much to the left. I was attempting to align my chest with the javelin, which affected my technique. Nonetheless, my run-up was excellent, and I was satisfied with my first throw. It feels fantastic to achieve 88 metres today and win after a long hiatus in the Wanda Diamond League," he stated to the broadcaster.

The 27-year-old athlete reminisced about his debut in the Diamond League, which took place in Paris back in 2017. Chopra is determined to maintain his consistency this season after having crossed the 90m threshold in Doha on May 16, where he recorded a throw of 90.23m, finishing second behind Weber, who clinched the title with a final-round throw of 91.06m.

"Starting my Wanda Diamond League career in Paris makes this win even more special. After seven or eight years, I’m thrilled with my victory here. For me, consistency is crucial. Competing in major events like the World Championships or the Olympics requires the ability to perform under pressure. I am delighted to have succeeded among so many exceptional athletes. I am hopeful of achieving more 90-metre throws in upcoming competitions," the Indian javelin star commented.

Chopra also praised the positive influence of legendary javelin thrower Jan Zelezny, under whose mentorship he has been honing his skills. He described the Czech icon as a source of remarkable energy and credited him with refining his technique, particularly by advocating for quicker, shorter steps during the crossover phase instead of longer strides. Chopra indicated that working alongside the three-time Olympic champion has significantly enhanced his confidence and poise.

"Having Jan Zelezny around elevates my self-esteem. His presence instills a sense of positivity, and it is well-known that he was an incredible athlete who consistently threw over 90 metres. Unlike other coaches who advised me to take long steps during the crossover, he encouraged me to focus on shorter, faster steps. This aligns well with what I am already practicing, but I must concentrate on my throwing technique," he concluded.