1 month ago
12
Chopra collected silver in the Paris Olympics despite a best throw of 89.45m while Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem was crowned the new Olympic champion earlier this month with a top effort of 92.97m — a new Olympic record. read more
 "Neeraj Chopra reveals he was '100 per cent positive' of eclipsing Arshad Nadeem's record throw in Paris Olympics")
India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem secured a one-two finish in the men's javelin final in the Paris Olympics. PTI
Track and field star Neeraj Chopra revealed he was a hundred per cent positive in the men’s javelin final in Paris Olympics, but fell short of gold after “stopping himself mentally” which ultimately affected his leg work.
Chopra collected silver in the Paris Olympics despite a season-best throw of 89.45m that was a couple of metres more than the throw that had landed him a gold medal in the Tokyo Games three years ago. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem was crowned the new Olympic champion earlier this month with a top effort of 92.97m — a new Olympic record.
In a virtual interaction organised by JSW Sports following his return to India from Paris, Chopra added that he was confident of eclipsing Nadeem’s record throw but somehow wasn’t able to execute it on the day.
“After Arshad Nadeem threw 92.97m, I was 100 per cent positive on my mind that I can throw this much too. But somewhere, I was stopping myself mentally and as a result, my leg-work didn’t go as planned.
“When we start running for the throw, it directly impacts our groin. Even my coach also told me ‘I need to work on my line as my throws were going inside’. I also admit that I got too much excited because the stage is as such and that’s where I missed,” Chopra told reporters during the virtual interaction.
The 26-year-old from Haryana won silver with his only legal effort in the final, with his remaining throws going as fouls. Chopra had earlier breezed into the final in just one attempt, his throw measuring 89.32m.
He also opened up on his adductor injury that he is yet to recover from, an issue that he had been dealing with in Paris as well, adding that he might have to undergo surgery soon.
“I have a lot on my mind. When I am throwing, 60-70 per cent focus of my is on the injury. I don’t want to get injured. Whenever I go for a throw, you will see that my speed is low. I am pushing myself.
“The doctor told me to go for surgery but I didn’t have that much time to take that decision before the world championship or after the world championship because it takes a lot of time to prepare for the Olympics,” added Chopra, who confirmed the Lausanne Diamond League that gets underway on 22 August as his next event.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·