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Chopra opined that despite the bitter-sweet moment in Qatar, breaching the elusive mark has inspired him to aim at throws that much exceed his best to date.
Neeraj Chopra. (X)
Ace Indian javelin throw athlete Neeraj Chopra got the 90m monkey off his back with his effort at the Doha Diamond League on Friday as he breached the coveted mark for the first time in his decorated career with an attempt of 90.23m in the Qatari Capital City. Despite his career-best throw, he was edged to the top spot by German Julian Weber, who registered a throw of 91.06m in his final attempt to usurp the primo spot in the standings.
Chopra, however, opined that despite the bitter-sweet moment in Qatar, breaching the elusive mark has inspired him to aim at throws that much exceed his best to date.
“I am very happy with the 90m mark but it’s a little bit of a bittersweet experience actually,” Chopra began.
“But never mind, I and my coach, the legendary Jan Zelezny, are still working on some aspects of my throw,” he revealed.
“We started working together only in February this year. I am still learning things,” he continued.
Chopra’s coach Zelezny, who holds the world record for the longest throw at 98.48m, was in attendance in Doha when the Indian broke the 90m mark.
“I was always feeling something in my groin in the last few years. I did not give my best because of that. This year I feel much better, we will also work on some aspects and so I believe I can throw more than 90m in the upcoming events this year till the World Championships,” Chopra said.
Chopra began working under thew watchful eye of Zelezny in February this year and the Czech’s impact on the Indian star is quite visible even during the nascent stage of their relationship.
“I am very happy that Jan Zelezny is my coach and we worked very hard in South Africa. We are still working on some aspects,” he said.
“My next goal remains 90m,” Chopra said in a tongue-in-cheek manner when quizzed about his next milestone.
“I believe I am ready to throw farther. It’s just the beginning of a long season,” he said.
Chopra also revealed that the conditions worked in his favour on the windy night in Doha.
“When I was having warm-up throws my coach said, ‘today is the day when I can throw 90m’. After my 90m throw also, he told me I can throw 2-3m farther,” he said.
“The wind helps for sure and the weather is a little warm and that helps. It’s the first competition of the year, so everyone came with a fresh mindset after a long time and had the hunger inside for the throwing part,” he added.
Despite finishing second, Chopra lauded Weber, who tipped him to the top sport and appreciated the athletes pushing each other on.
“I also told Julian that we can throw 90m. I am also happy for him. We have tried very hard for 90m for so many years, and so we are happy.
“It’s like a good push between us and in the next competition we will push each other again and will throw farther,” he said.
Chopra reflected on how each time he has bettered the National Record mark, there has been another athlete on the day who has edged him to the top spot, including his showings at Turku and Stockholm events in the past.
“It had happened earlier also. When I threw an NR with over 89m in Turku, I finished second. In Stockholm DL, when I threw 89.94m, I was second again, so also here,” Chopra said.
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