In fact, Chopra, who won the country’s first athletics medal to become only the second Indian to win an individual gold at the Olympics, went for it on Saturday while trying for a Games record (90.57m) but could not achieve it.
Chopra said after his historic feat, “Javelin throw is a very technical event and a lot depends on the form of the day. Anything can happen. So, my next target is to cross 90 meters (marks).” ”
He said, “I was just concentrating on the Olympics this year. Now that I have won the gold medal, I will plan ahead for the upcoming competitions. After coming to India, I am looking forward to participate in international events again. I will look for foreign visa. .
After withdrawing from the Gateshead Diamond League on 13 July, Chopra said he could participate in the remaining stages of the Elite One-Day Meet series after the Olympics.
The men’s javelin events will take place in the legs of Lausanne (26 August) and Paris (28 August) as well as the Zurich final (9 September).
The 23-year-old son of a farmer from Khandara village near Panipat in Haryana ended India’s 100-year wait for a track and field medal at the Olympics by producing a second-round throw of 87.58m in the final.
The Olympics is the grandest stage for any athlete and can be intimidating, but not for Chopra, who said he took no pressure and was going about his job like any other international event.
“There was no pressure and I was taking it (Olympics) like any other event. It was like I have played against these athletes before and there is no reason to worry. I was able to focus on my performance. Was able to. It has helped me win gold.
“Yes, I thought that India would not win a medal in athletics but once I get hold of my javelin, all these things don’t come to my mind.”
He was short on preparations for the Olympics, had just three international events under his belt, and had a top-class field in only one of them.
But he said he is happy to have the opportunity to compete.
“The most important thing was that I got international competitions before the Olympics. I was looking forward to it. I requested the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS),” Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to make some arrangements. They made arrangements, and because of that, I am here now.
“For all the facilities I have received, I would like to thank SAI, AFI and TOPS.”
When asked how he came up with the big throw in his first two attempts, he said, “If the first throw goes well, it takes the pressure off. It happened. The second throw was very good too.
“I knew both would go a long way at release. That would have put pressure on the other athletes.”
Talking about your friend and medal favorite Johannes waiter From Germany, who was out after the first three throws, Chopra said, “He was struggling, I don’t know whether it was because of pressure or playing too many events. He was not in his form. ”
The 28-year-old had come into the Olympics as a top contender for gold, having thrown 90m plus on seven occasions between April and June, but was shocked to be eliminated, with a best effort of 82.52 for the first three throws. The latter finished ninth. M.
Chopra, who was clapping for the waiters while they were throwing, felt for the German former world champion. They are friends off the field, having spent time together during some of the top international competitions.
“I was feeling a little bad that he couldn’t qualify for the last eight. He’s such a good javelin thrower. However, I just focused on my performance.”
Chopra declined to join Waiter’s pre-Olympic comments to PTI that it would be difficult for an Indian to beat him at the Games.
“I knew that (waiter’s comment). In the Olympics, records don’t matter much. No one knows how the day will go. I didn’t answer because I respect him a lot. He’s a good friend.”
Following his exit, the German, who won gold and bronze at the 2017 and 2019 World Championships respectively, had said that he was happy to see Chopra win the gold.
“He (Neeraj) is a really talented person, always really friendly. I’m happy for him,” said Waiter, who has a personal best of 97.76m and has scored on seven occasions between April and June. Spear thrown.
Vetter and Chopra had traveled together for three hours from Helsinki when they both attended the Kuorten Games in Finland in June. Waiter won the competition while Chopra finished third.
The two discussed their sport and life beyond that.
In 2018, Vetter predicted that Chopra would be one of the stars of the world field and would throw more than 90 meters in the near future.
Chopra also did not forget to mention the contribution of his childhood guru Jaiveer Choudhary from a place near his native village in Haryana. Jaiveer threw him a javelin at the Shivaji Stadium in Panipat.
“I started with Jaiveer. He supported me a lot when I knew nothing about javelin. He is coaching in the national camp now. He is very dedicated. Training with Jaiveer helped me improve my fundamentals helped to do.
“In athletics, you develop slowly. Javelin is a very technical sport. I corrected my mistakes over time. Then I trained under foreign coaches who further corrected my errors. My coaches helped me a lot. All that support has brought me here.” ”
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