May 9th 2024.
In a recent interview with SAI Media, Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion in the javelin throw competition at the Olympic Games, shared his thoughts on the upcoming Paris 2024 event. He expressed his belief that three Indians will be in contention for medals, following the success of Indian throwers at the World Championships in Budapest, where they held three out of the top six spots in the final.
Chopra, along with his teammate Kishore Jena, will kick off the outdoor season in the Doha leg of the Diamond League on May 10. They have been training intensively overseas under top coaches, and their performance in the upcoming events, including the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar on May 14-15, will evaluate the effectiveness of their training.
Chopra also shared his belief that a third javelin thrower, DP Manu, should make the cut for the Paris event. Although Manu has yet to breach the qualifying standard of 85.50 meters, he is currently ranked 11th in the Road to Paris rankings, which should be enough to secure a spot unless several other athletes pass him.
At the recent Indian Grand Prix I in Bengaluru, Manu won the men's javelin throw competition with an effort of 81.91m. He has been training in South Africa with his coach Kashinath Naik, a former Commonwealth Games bronze medalist. The government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme has provided financial support to all three javelin throwers, with Chopra receiving close to Rs 4 crore alone.
Chopra, who has meticulously planned his training and competition schedule, emphasized the importance of proper preparation leading up to a major event. He has undergone training at various international centers and has found success in the Diamond League. He also stressed the importance of teamwork, giving credit to his coach, physio, and strength training specialist for their contributions.
Although Chopra is confident in his team's training and performance, he acknowledges that success cannot be guaranteed. He will face tough competition in the upcoming Diamond League event, with top athletes such as Jakub Vadlejch, Anderson Peters, and Max Dehning expected to participate.
Chopra also shared some personal insights, revealing that he has had to make sacrifices, such as adjusting to a bland diet, to maintain his physical fitness. However, he remains determined and focused on his goal of performing well in Paris. As he says, "Success depends on teamwork" and he is confident that his team will work together to achieve success at the Paris 2024 event.
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