By Sahil Kohli
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 11 (ANI): India’s reigning world champion and Tokyo Olympics 2020 gold medalist javelin throw famous person Neeraj Chopra mentioned that after touching the 90-metre mark lastly, he takes issues step-by-step and the following goal is to enhance his throw by one or two metres extra.
Neeraj was chatting with ANI at an occasion held by Under Armour in Gurugram.
Speaking about the opportunity of touching the 95-m mark, Neeraj advised ANI, ‘I consider in going step-by-step. I’ve touched 90 m now, so I want to improve it by one or two metres. Then goal for 95 m. As Sumit (Antil) mentioned, 95 m is certainly doable. Then, after that, I’d attempt breaking my coach’s file.’
After his win on the Paris Diamond League meet not too long ago, Neeraj had mentioned about breaking his coach Jan Zelezny’s file, ‘ 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 have to hold working,’ he mentioned.
With Zelenzy in his nook, who holds the world file 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, once I joined Parasports and did a javelin throw as a sport. 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 12 months, Neeraj mentioned, ‘I’m getting ready effectively for it and I hope to offer my degree greatest there. It is the largest and most essential competitors of the 12 months. 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 grow 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 doing a little technical work collectively, and he’s completely happy along with his coaching thus far.
‘We are attempting 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 footwear, 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 not too long ago 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 greatest and settled for second with 84.51m. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage claimed the third place with a greatest 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 match. 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 positive season thus far 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 successful methods with back-to-back titles at Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike this month, with greatest efforts of 88.16 m and 85.29 m. Most not too long ago got here his NC Classic triumph in entrance of his house crowd. (ANI)