Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 11 (ANI): India’s world champion and Tokyo 2020 gold medalist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra heaped reward on younger athletes Tejaswin Shankar, Jay Shah and fencers Rishika Khajuria, Jyotika Dutta and lauded them for his or her ‘dedication and expertise’.
Tejaswin is the worldwide decathlete who holds the National Record and specialises within the excessive bounce. He is India’s first-ever excessive bounce medallist on the Commonwealth Games, securing a bronze medal at Hangzhou again in 2023. Jay is an All India University report holder within the triple bounce, with 16.36 m. Rishika and Jyotika are national-level medalists.
An Indian sabre fencer from Jammu, Rishikha is at the moment representing India on the worldwide stage. She has competed at elite platforms just like the World Championships and the World University Games and is at the moment getting ready for the 2025 World University Games in Germany. A standout performer on the nationwide circuit, Rishika is the 2024 Inter-University Gold Medallist and Senior National Silver Medallist, with a number of podium finishes at national-level competitions.
Jyotika is knowledgeable sabre fencer from Rohru, Himachal Pradesh, at the moment coaching on the prestigious National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala. She has proudly represented India twice on the Asian Games, reaching the quarterfinals each instances, and continues to be one of many nation’s most constant performers in fencing. Domestically, she has received over 20 medals throughout Senior and Junior National Championships.
Jay is a two-time All India Universities National Record holder within the Triple Jump, he has persistently confirmed his dominance on the college stage. Jay proudly represented India on the 2019 World University Games in Naples, Italy. In addition to his achievements in jumps, he has earned a number of nationwide medals within the 200m dash and 100m relay, showcasing his versatility and velocity on the observe.
Speaking on the occasion held by Under Armour, the place these athletes had been signed by the model, Neeraj mentioned, ‘Tejaswin, Jay, Jyotika, and Rishika have proven unbelievable dedication and expertise, and I’m assured they will encourage many extra athletes throughout India. Together, we’re proving that with laborious work and perception, underdogs can obtain greatness.’
Tushar Goculdas, Managing Director, Underdog Athletics, unique India distributor and licensee of Under Armour added, ‘We have at all times stood for the underdog — for individuals who practice in silence, present up with grit, and let their efficiency communicate the loudest. Neeraj Chopra embodies that mindset, and at the moment, we’re proud to welcome 4 promising athletes who carry that very same fireplace.’
Speaking to ANI on the occasion, Neeraj additionally opened up on a number of matters, starting from his method to the javelin throw world report after touching the 90-m, and his preparations for the upcoming World Athletics Championships.
Speaking about the potential for touching the 95-m mark, Neeraj advised ANI, ‘I imagine in going step-by-step. I’ve touched 90 m now, so I wish to improve it by one or two metres. Then intention for 95 m. As Sumit (Antil) mentioned, 95 m is certainly potential. Then, after that, I might strive breaking my coach’s report.’
After his win on the Paris Diamond League meet lately, Neeraj had mentioned about breaking his coach Jan Zelezny’s report, ‘ He has thrown 98m, and so many over 90. Maybe as soon as I hit 95m, then I can begin to say one thing – however proper now, I must hold working,’ he mentioned.
With Zelenzy in his nook, who holds the world report in males’s javelin throw with 98.48 m effort in 1996, Neeraj touched the 90 m for the primary time in his profession as he got here second on the Doha Diamond League in May. It put an finish to years of media dialogue and hype round Neeraj touching the coveted mark. But he got here second on the occasion, with Germany’s Julian Weber touching 91.06 m. Neeraj touched a stupendous 90.23 metres.
Earlier, in an interview with ANI, Para-athletic javelin thrower and double Paralympics gold medalist Antil had backed Neeraj to transcend the 90-m and contact 95-m.’As an athlete, it isn’t far for Neeraj to cross 95 meters. His method is excellent. I’ve been following him since 2017, after I joined Parasports and did a javelin throw as a recreation. I’ve seen constructive adjustments in his run-up and different issues,’ mentioned Antil.
Speaking on his preparations to defend the title on the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this yr, Neeraj mentioned, ‘I’m getting ready effectively for it and I hope to offer my stage finest there. It is the largest and most essential competitors of the yr. Will proceed getting ready effectively for it.’
The World Athletics Championships will probably be held in Tokyo from 13-21 September 2025. If Neeraj wins the title, he might turn out to be the primary Indian to defend his crown. Any different colored medal would make it a hat-trick of medals on the marquee occasion, first-ever by an Indian, having received the silver medal again in 2022 earlier than following it with a historic gold at Budapest.
On his partnership with coach Zelezny, Neeraj mentioned that they’re performing some technical work collectively, and he’s pleased together with his coaching to date.’We try to comply with the javelin and don’t fall in direction of the left a lot. I wish to implement all this in my competitions,’ he added.
Speaking on the significance of a participant’s gear, garments and sneakers, Neeraj mentioned, ‘It is essential. You ought to get consolation and high quality. It retains you injury-free. You get help in your efficiency as effectively.’
Chopra took the highest honours within the inaugural version of the Neeraj Chopra Classic, a contest named after him at Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru lately on Saturday.
The reigning javelin throw champion stood triumphant with 86.18m in a contest named after him. Kenya’s Julius Yego notched up his season finest and settled for second with 84.51m. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage claimed the third place with a finest throw of 84.34m.
While some athletes got here near difficult Neeraj’s supremacy, the Indian’s finesse remained unmatched by the top of the event. Even although it was not one other 90m outing for the 27-year-old, he stamped his authority by conquering the problem that he encountered and ensured that he continued to remain inside the highest two since June 26, 2021.
He has had a wonderful season to date in 2025. Neeraj kickstarted with a win on the Potch Invitational in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April and adopted it up with a really particular second-place end at Doha Diamond League, the place he crossed the 90-metre mark for the primary time ever, with a throw of 90.23 m.
He additionally went on to safe a second spot within the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland later that month and resumed his profitable methods with back-to-back titles at Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike this month, with finest efforts of 88.16 m and 85.29 m. Most lately got here his NC Classic triumph in entrance of his house crowd. (ANI)