1 month ago
89
India’s most successful athlete — Neeraj Chopra — explains where India is falling short and how they can increase their medal tally at the Olympics. read more
 "After Paris Olympics disappointment, Neeraj Chopra explains how India can do better at Summer Games")
Neeraj Chopra is now focussing on the Diamond League trophy after winning silver at Paris Olympics. AP
After a seven-medal high for India at the Tokyo Olympics including a gold, the Paris 2024 Olympics has been a downer in a real sense. No athlete could get into a gold-medal winning position apart from Neeraj who had created history three years back in Tokyo. Though he put his best foot forward despite his mind and being restrained by his groin injury, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and a new Olympic record, forced the golden boy of India to settle for silver.
Nonetheless with gold and silver medals in two editions of the Olympics so far, Neeraj is the most successful individual Indian athlete in the history of the Summer Games. In the men’s javelin final, Neeraj recorded only one legal throw, of 89.45m, which is his season-best effort, and was only surpassed by Nadeem’s 92.97m throw.
This is quite often not the case with other Indian athletes in the Olympics. For example, Lakshya Sen had 20-17 and 7-0 leads in the two games respectively against Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in a historic badminton men’s singles semi-finals and in the bronze medal contest against Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia, he won the first game but went on to lose both matches.
India’s biggest lessons from Paris 2024: Mental conditioning and long-term planning
Similarly, Avinash Sable and Jyothi Yaraji who have been one of India’s biggest hopes in athletics failed to come anywhere close to their personal bests.
Just like in the past, another edition of the Olympics has left us with the same question: What can India do to address the persistent issue of athletes failing to perform at their best?
The most eligible expert — Neeraj recently answered this from his experience.
In a recent media interaction organised by JSW, the world champion was asked the same and in his response, Neeraj cited his example and urged for a better scouting network in India through which the talent is picked at the right time for the right sport.
“Overseas, there are more talent spotters. For example, I took up javelin I don’t know how, I liked it so I pursued it,” Neeraj said. “But if we try multiple sports and pick the best one on the recommendations of an expert that way Indian sport can move forward. We need to spot talent better.”
The Asian Games gold medallist added that besides scouting, there needs to be a specific focus on building an army of coaches who can help the athletes do well across different sports which will eventually help the country improve its strike rate at the Games.
“Also, we can’t just focus on one sport. We need to be good in all sports. I feel the leaders in the medals tally (China, USA, Japan). They all are powerful nations in various fields, sports play a big part as well in lifting the profile of the nation.
“Hope we do well in the next Olympics and qualify for FIFA World Cup as well. Cricket we already are doing well. There is no dearth of talent, we also need to have more coaches,” added Chopra.
Paris 2024: The paradox of India’s cruelest yet most encouraging Olympic outing
Neeraj also revealed that once he is done with javelin throw, he would want to open an academy for aspiring athletes.
“…Maybe a javelin academy or something so that aspiring athletes can be helped. When I retire I will plan how I can contribute.”
On the personal front, Neeraj shared that he will be consulting a doctor after the season-ending Diamond League in Brussels in September. The Haryana athlete has been facing the groin issue since winning the World Championships gold last season and is likely to undergo surgery.
The 26-year-old also added that he is not far from breaching the 90m mark.
“I felt I could increase the distance. My two no throws in qualification and final, they were second and third best throws and my season best as well. To increase distance I need to be injury free.
“In my mind I know need to give 100 percent but because of the injury I am not able to give 100 percent. My body and mind stops me from making that extra effort.
“What is most important in training session is throwing sessions which I have not been able to do as much as I would like (due to injury). If you can’t throw regularly then you are not able to work on your technique. I need to throw as much as I can. The rest is all fine,” said Chopra.
Watching sports and writing about it are my favourite things in life and I try to bring you the best from the sporting world at Firstpost. see more
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·