Mood is good, says javelin star Neeraj Chopra as he eyes 90m high

Neeraj Chopra

There is a cautious ring of hype around Neeraj Chopra. Prudence would be the right word, after all, he is the one and only genuine hope India has at the 2023 World Championships; Murali Sreeshankar and Jeswin Aldrin might get a tad offended, but would also appreciate that Chopra has been on the podium multiple times - from the Olympic gold to the Diamond League and then the World silver at Eugene, not counting the pre-Tokyo Asian Athletic Championships and Asian Games.

Javelin, with its intricate complexity, tedious technicality and extensive preparation, is always under a shroud of secrecy when it comes to Chopra. There is a certain elusiveness to him. The optics with NC are almost always chimerical. Fan and media interactions have been largely at international tournaments, and so rarely in person - and that adds to the superstar athlete's aura.

Three throwers from India

India have three javelin throwers at the World Championships here, it could have been four if Rohit Yadav wasn't injured; a massive accomplishment given the fact that it was only in 2017 and onwards that Indian javelin throwers participated at the World Championships. It has been a swift rise.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra admits to being in quandary in Lausanne amid fitness concerns

At the training area, 500 metres from the main stadium, Chopra looked bright, fresh and excited to get on with the competition. "Preparation is going very well. As you know, after the Doha Diamond League, there was some problem in my muscles because of which I had to skip some competitions. I made a comeback at the Lausanne Diamond League [he won his second straight Diamond League title there] and I feel a bit better now. And after coming here, the mood is good, the atmosphere is good, the crowd is great, conditions are good, and I will give my 100 per cent."

Experience, a key factor

Experience is key and Chopra says he has learnt a lot from the earlier two World Championships. "The biggest experience I took from the London World Championships was to clear the qualification mark of 83m to qualify for the finals. I didn't qualify then and learnt that always give your best in the qualification round and only then focus on the final. After that, things were good in Eugene and Tokyo. I try to do the same in every competition. Last time there was a bit of a mess. There was a strain in the muscle after the fourth throw, so hopefully I'll be fully fit here."

Speaking of his target here, Chopra said: "It's a very big competition and everyone is coming with a good mindset. Sometimes some athletes throw 90m and sometimes you win even with shorter throws. Yes, big throws, do lift your confidence. If that throw is made first then pressure builds on other athletes. I have a feeling that it will be a good throw here and there will be good competition in the final. Maybe, I can break the 90m barrier."

With the Indian team performing below-par here, does he too feel the pressure to excel and to make up for the others. "That can have an effect, but I feel all athletes give their 100 per cent. I try to play as many international competitions as possible and play with big athletes. That helps in controlling the pressure. You must have faith in yourself," he concluded.