Can Rohit Yadav Achieve His Season's Best at the Neeraj Chopra Classic?

Bengaluru, July 3 (NationPress) As Indian javelin thrower Rohit Yadav gears up for the Neeraj Chopra Classic, he remains committed to maintaining his fitness and is striving to equal his season's top mark of 83.40 metres.

Last month, Rohit faced difficult weather conditions but still clinched the gold medal at the Taiwan Athletics Open with a throw of 74.42m. However, at the NC Classic, the two-time national champion is eager to match his season's best.

"If I can hit the 80m mark, I believe I can achieve it. The priority is staying fit for competition. I also want to avoid worsening my injury. I’m optimistic about reaching my personal best throw. My aim is to throw near my season’s best of 83.40 metres," stated Rohit ahead of the Neeraj Chopra Classic, a prestigious world athletics gold-level event.

"In Taipei, I achieved a throw of 74.40 metres. I was cautious due to a prior injury, taking care not to exacerbate it. After consulting with my physiotherapist, I learned there was no serious concern—just some tightness. Given the weather, I had set a target of 70 to 80 metres, so 74.40 was a solid result. It rained, but overall, it was a success," he added.

Discussing the home field advantage at this world-class event, Rohit commented, "I’ve competed on this track numerous times, providing a definite advantage. When venues change, the atmosphere can shift, but here, everything is familiar. The facilities are excellent, and there are no issues with food or arrangements. That’s the home advantage—comfort, familiarity, and, of course, the support from the crowd."

Rohit noted that while many athletes thrive on crowd energy, he finds his rhythm in focus and calm. "Honestly, I prefer silence. Many athletes draw energy from the audience, but I like it quieter. If the crowd claps in sync, it's fine. But random shouting can be distracting and feel chaotic. It’s not that I dislike cheering; I just prefer to stay concentrated on my throw, regardless of the noise," he expressed.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the first international javelin throw competition in India, Rohit remarked, "This is a historic moment, and I’m thrilled—not just for myself, but for our entire nation. All of us javelin throwers are excited to welcome world-class athletes. Neeraj Chopra is also competing, and I last shared the field with him in 2022. Now, I’ll get to compete alongside him and other elite athletes."

The Neeraj Chopra Classic, co-hosted by the two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj and JSW Sports, and sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India, is set to take place on Saturday at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.