Tokyo Olympics champion Neeraj Chopra is bidding to develop into simply the second India to win a medal on the World Athletics Championships, when he competes within the javelin occasion later this week in Eugene, Oregon. Chopra had set a brand new nationwide report of 89.94m, simply 6cm shy of the 90m mark, the gold customary on the earth of javelin throw, on the prestigious Diamond League in Stockholm final month en path to a silver medal.
The 24-year-old completed second behind Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who recorded a finest throw of 90.31m. A powerful discipline awaits Chopra within the World Championships, the place he will likely be seen in motion, beginning with the qualifiers on July 21.
Nevertheless, forward of the competitors, Neeraj Chopra gave a glimpse of his lighter aspect. In speedy hearth spherical of questions throughout a digital interplay from Eugene on Monday (July 18), Neeraj was requested about his nickname by the host.
“Most of my mates and relative name me Neeraj solely. Nevertheless my mom typically affectionately calls me Nijju,” Neeraj Chopra revealed.
Requested about his favorite off-field exercise, Neeraj shocking mentioned that it was ‘purchasing’. “I don’t know if I’ve any shocking hidden skills however after my adverts some individuals have began to enrich me that I could have a expertise for appearing as nicely,” Neeraj mentioned when requested about his ‘hidden expertise’.
The javelin star additionally revealed that his favorite all-time athlete was Jan Zelezny. “Zelezny is in fact the world-record holder in javelin occasion and I acquired an opportunity to fulfill him in Europe in addition to have been interacting with him in Eugene as nicely,” the 24-year-old mentioned.
I do not struggle to win, I struggle for excellence, I struggle to get higher. Gold is the purpose, so I put within the exhausting work persistently and deal with getting higher.
Watch me take the subsequent step as I proceed to push via the New Battles with New Armour. #TheOnlyWayisThrough pic.twitter.com/W6gaj2iEUP
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) July 18, 2022
In addition to Neeraj Chopra, Peters, Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic, Finland’s Oliver Helander and the German duo of Julian Weber and Johannes Vetter will likely be in motion.
Neeraj additionally revealed that javelin wasn’t first alternative when it got here to sports activities. “Volleyball was my old flame after I began taking part in sports activities in my village. We performed quite a lot of ‘desi-volleyball’ with completely different guidelines in our village. I’ve performed kabaddi and naturally cricket as nicely, however javelin was the one sport that I took up professionally,” Neeraj mentioned.
India’s greatest athlete additionally that his prime success mantra was not to surrender on ‘exhausting work’. “Win or lose I at all times get again to exhausting work in coaching with the identical ardour. Ups and downs are at all times potential in sports activities and after I don’t carry out nicely, I at all times attempt to study from my errors. My greatest competitors has at all times been with myself solely,” he mentioned.