Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin star, has won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, adding to his gold from the previous Games. However, despite his historic achievement, Chopra is more concerned about a persistent groin injury that has been hindering his performance.
Chopra’s gold-silver double at the Olympics is unprecedented in Indian sport, but he believes he has more to give. The groin issue has been a nagging problem for several years, preventing him from delivering bigger throws. Gold medallist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan rewrote the Olympic record with a throw of 92.97m, highlighting the need for Chopra to address his injury.
Chopra plans to consult doctors to explore surgical options. “I am pushing myself despite the current situation of my body,” he said. “But there’s still a lot inside me, and I have to keep myself fit for it.”
The injury has affected Chopra’s schedule this year, forcing him to miss several meets leading up to the Games. He also withdrew from the 2022 Commonwealth Games due to the issue.
Chopra explained that the injury forces him to focus on his body rather than his technique. “I already threw 89.94m with this injury,” he said. “But when I throw, I always focus almost 50 percent on my injury. We have to focus mostly on technique, but it’s really hard for me with this injury.”
Despite his injury, Chopra is optimistic about his future. “Medals are a different thing,” he said. “But there’s a better throw left in me. There’s a lot left in me, we will do it for sure.”
Chopra praised Nadeem for his performance, acknowledging the challenges of managing injuries in the sport. “Arshad did so well,” he said. “If he can avoid injuries, his throws will only get better.”
