Need international competition: Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra. Pic/AFP

India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, has been training hard at the National Institute of Sport in Patiala but fears that the lack of exposure to international competitions could hamper his prospects of winning a medal at the Tokyo Olympics (July 23-August 8).

Out due to injury

Chopra, 23, who bettered his own national record (88.06m) with a throw of 88.07m at the Indian Grand Prix last March in Patiala, has not participated in any international event for the last two years. "In 2019, I was out due to an [elbow] injury and since 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hampered things. If there are no international competitions there is little use of training. If we are thinking of winning an Olympic medal then it's necessary to compete with the world's top athletes at international competitions," Chopra said in reply to mid-day's question during a virtual media interaction organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Wednesday.

"I have spoken to officials at TOPS [Target Olympic Podium Scheme] and SAI. They are trying their best from their end if anything can happen and I can get competitions. The facilities here in Patiala are good but the competition abroad is always better," said Chopra, who won a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, and followed it up with another at the Asian Games in Jakarta the same year.

‘Need to be mentally fit'

With India devastated by the Coronavirus, Chopra said that he avoids reading newspapers or watching the news on TV as it has a negative impact on him. "This is a physical sport but we have to be at our best mentally too at all times. It will be tough to perform at the highest level if our mindset is not right," said Chopra, insisting that with right international training and exposure, he can breach the 90m barrier this year which should be good enough for an Olympic medal. "I don't know if I will win a medal, but I will give my 100 per cent at Tokyo," Chopra signed off.