Neeraj Chopra Prioritizes Training Over Stardom Ahead of Diamond League Debut

Neeraj Chopra Prioritizes Training Over Stardom Ahead of Diamond League Debut

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden boy in javelin throw, has acknowledged the challenges of balancing his stardom with his training and competition schedule. The 26-year-old superstar, who is also the reigning world and Asian Games champion, is set to kick off his season with the first leg of the Diamond League on Friday.

Chopra, who has spent the majority of the past few months training abroad in South Africa, Turkey, and Switzerland, expressed his desire to prioritize his sport over social obligations. “For me, my sport is more important,” he said. “It’s good for my profile if I play in India, but there are too many functions and marriage functions. I also want to join my family and friends, but more than that, I want to train in an Olympic year.”

Chopra’s stardom has undoubtedly elevated the stature of athletics in India. “It’s not like cricketers, like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni, but a lot of people know me,” he said. “I go to India sometimes, people know me, which is good for athletics. People know about athletics and follow athletics because of the Olympic gold.”

Despite the recognition, Chopra remains focused on his ultimate goal: breaking the elusive 90m mark. “About 90m, last year I said I will throw 90 and threw 88. This year, I don’t want to say, I want to show,” he said. “People have been asking me this question since 2018, when I threw 88.06 at the Asian Games. But, a lot of things happened, my elbow injury, the surgery, and now I have been stuck between 88 and 90m.”

Chopra is aware of the expectations that come with his status as an Olympic champion, but he tries to focus on his technique. “Obviously, it is the Olympics year and India is a big country and everyone expects gold,” he said. “But, it’s really hard in Olympics because the best from the world are competing with you.”

“My focus is to just stay healthy and concentrate on my technique. And yes, if I stay healthy everything will be good.”

Neeraj Chopra Faces Star-Studded Field in Doha Diamond League Opener

Neeraj Chopra Faces Star-Studded Field in Doha Diamond League Opener

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra is set to kick off his season at the prestigious Diamond League meet in Doha on Friday, facing a formidable field that includes former world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Olympic and world-medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic.

Chopra, who is also the reigning world and Asian Games champion, will be aiming to set the tone for his Paris Games preparations in Doha. The 26-year-old Indian javelin superstar has a personal best of 89.94m, which is also the national record.

Joining Chopra in the fray will be his compatriot Kishore Jena, who will be making his Diamond League debut. Jena has a personal best of 87.54m.

The 10-man field also includes European champion Julian Weber of Germany, who finished fourth in the Olympic Games and World Championships.

Chopra is the defending champion in Doha, having won the event in 2022 ahead of Vadlejch and Peters. He has also won three individual legs of the Diamond League and lifted the champion’s trophy in 2022.

After Doha, Chopra will compete at home for the first time in three years at the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar from May 12 to 15. He will then compete in the prestigious Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland on June 18.

Chopra’s goal for this season is to defend his Olympic title and to break the elusive 90m barrier. He has been training overseas at different international centers in Finland, South Africa, UK, and Turkey to prepare for the upcoming season.

The Indian government has spent close to Rs four crore to assist Chopra’s training, equipment, coach’s salary, and out-of-pocket allowances in the current Paris Olympics cycle.

Chopra attributes his preparedness to the training he has undergone overseas and the support he has received from the government. He has also emphasized the importance of staying injury-free and adjusting to a proper diet.

Neeraj Chopra to Begin Season at Doha Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra to Begin Season at Doha Diamond League

Reigning Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to kick off his season at the prestigious Diamond League series in Doha on May 10. The 26-year-old Indian, who won gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year, is aiming to defend his Olympic title in Paris later this year.

Chopra will face a star-studded field in Doha, including his well-known rivals Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic and Anderson Peters of Grenada. Vadlejch won silver in the Tokyo Olympics and bronze in the 2023 World Championships, while Peters is a former world champion and holds the fifth-longest throw in history (93.07m).

Chopra’s compatriot Kishore Jena, who finished fifth in the 2023 Budapest World Championships and won silver in Hangzhou with a personal best of 87.54m, will also make his Diamond League debut in Doha.

Chopra is eager to start his season strongly and is targeting a throw of over 90m. “This year, my personal goal is to defend my Olympic title, but it would also mean a lot to me to break the 90m barrier,” he said. “The Doha Meeting, with good conditions and a great atmosphere, is a perfect opportunity to get my season off to the best start.”

The javelin event has become increasingly competitive in recent years, with several athletes capable of throwing over 90m. Chopra’s continued excellence has raised the bar for Indian athletes, and he is confident that India is making progress as a nation in the sport.

“Last year my dream was to win the World Championships, but to have three Indian athletes competing in the final – that shows we’re progressing as a nation,” he said.

The Doha Meeting is the third meeting of the 2024 Diamond League series, which comprises 15 legs in total across four different continents. The first two meetings in Xiamen and Shanghai do not have men’s javelin throw as a Diamond League event.

Neeraj Chopra Confident of Strong Return to Outdoor Competition

Neeraj Chopra Confident of Strong Return to Outdoor Competition

Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, is gearing up for his return to outdoor competition in 2024. The 26-year-old is currently training in Turkey and is confident of being in top form for the upcoming season.

Chopra’s preparation for the Tokyo Olympics was hampered by injuries, but he has since bounced back strongly. He won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships and set a new personal best of 89.94 meters at the Stockholm Diamond League meet.

“I want to be in the best possible shape before Paris,” Chopra said. “My training sessions have gone off really well so far. I always lay stress on fitness along with strength and technique.”

Chopra is not setting any specific targets for the upcoming season, but he is confident of continuing his good form.

“I have won medals in two World Championships, threw my personal best, won a dream Diamond League title, and even defended my gold at the Asian Games,” he said. “All in all, I have been in great space and want to carry forward that momentum from May onwards.”

Chopra is aware of the increasing competition in javelin throw, but he is not fazed by it.

“What matters to me is staying 100 percent fit, being consistent during the season, and delivering on the day that matters,” he said. “I think there are mistakes to fix and looking at the increasing competition all around, one has to keep improving.”

Chopra is a role model for young athletes in India and is an inspiration to many. He is a true champion and a credit to his country.

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