Neeraj Chopra Aims Higher After 90m Javelin Throw at Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra's Remarkable Performance

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra expressed a mix of relief and slight disappointment after successfully surpassing the 90m mark. He is now focused on achieving even greater distances, as he feels physically fit and free from the injuries that have hindered him in recent years.

During the Diamond League season opener, Chopra launched his javelin to a distance of 90.23m, securing second place overall, while Germany's Julian Weber clinched first with a throw of 91.06m in his final attempt.

Chopra shared his feelings post-event, stating, "I am thrilled to have crossed the 90m threshold, but it’s a bittersweet moment. My coach, the legendary Jan Zelezny, and I are still refining my technique."

Zelezny, who holds the world record for the longest javelin throw at 98.48m, typically does not attend Diamond League events. However, he accompanied Chopra this time, believing it was the right moment for a breakthrough. Chopra noted, "I had been struggling with groin issues in previous years, which affected my performance. This year, I feel much better, and I’m optimistic about throwing beyond 90m in upcoming competitions leading to the World Championships."

As the defending gold medalist, Chopra is set to compete in the World Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 21. His recent achievement is expected to boost his confidence significantly.

This throw marked his third attempt of the evening, making him only the third Asian and the 25th athlete globally to surpass the 90m milestone, a feat he had been striving for over the past five years.

Chopra acknowledged the positive influence of Zelezny, who became his coach in November last year, with their collaboration beginning in February. He remarked, "I’m grateful to have Jan Zelezny as my coach; we’ve put in a lot of effort during our training in South Africa, and we continue to work on various aspects of my throw."

When asked about his future goals, Chopra humorously replied, "My next target is still 90m," but he added more seriously, "I am confident that I can surpass my personal best from last night."

Reflecting on the conditions that contributed to his landmark throw, he mentioned, "The weather was favorable, and the wind played a role in my performance. During warm-ups, my coach predicted that today would be the day I could achieve 90m. After my throw, he encouraged me, saying I could throw 2-3m farther."

Chopra maintained his characteristic sportsmanship despite not finishing first, commending Weber for his impressive performance and emphasizing the mutual motivation they provide each other.