Neeraj Chopra interview: Irrespective of how massive a champion somebody is, he doesn’t at all times win

Neeraj Chopra speaks to The Hindu in Paris on August 9, 2024. 
| Picture Credit score: Ritu Raj Konwar

For the reason that nation grew to become unbiased, the Indian Nationwide anthem has been performed on the Olympics platform solely seven instances. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s historic efficiency within the Tokyo Video games supplied the Indians to witness a type of alternatives.

This time Chopra, who relinquished the highest spot to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem on the Stade de France in Paris the opposite evening, didn’t have the privilege of standing to the Nationwide anthem once more, however has taken his silver medal in his stride and is proud to have contributed to the nation’s medals tally on the biggest present on earth.

“It’s the fact of sports activities. Irrespective of how massive a champion somebody is, he doesn’t at all times win. Someday or the opposite the end result doesn’t go in his favour. It might have been nice had the Nationwide anthem been performed. However I’m proud of the silver medal I gained for the nation,” Chopra advised The Hindu in an unique interview throughout his go to to Omega Home in Paris.

Chopra had some points along with his run-up through the javelin closing competitors, after which he was seen going as much as that space to test one thing. “A number of my throws had been foul throws. A few of these I did intentionally, although. I used to be simply checking the place I received blocked. I simply wished to take a look on the space.”

On the sector, Chopra pumps himself up with some aggression, which typically could also be misconstrued as his anger. “Sure, I do get indignant. I can’t say I get indignant on the sector. I get aggressive on the sector. I believe it’s vital typically. I attempt to deal with it. Together with the aggression, I attempt to hold my give attention to method and efficiency.”

Throughout his performances, Chopra has been cautious concerning the harm he has been carrying for a while. He agreed that it affected his focus. “Sure, it’s troublesome to compete regardless of an harm. As a substitute of the efficiency, you focus extra on not aggravating the harm. Regardless of that I carried out nicely and received my season greatest throw.”

Aside from addressing harm points, Chopra, who’s but to cross the 90m mark, wished to enhance the technical facet of the sport. “Javelin is a technical sport. You at all times have some scope for enchancment. There are some things that I’ve to enhance. I’ll work on that within the subsequent low season,” stated Chopra.

A number of athletes throughout numerous disciplines have raised considerations about psychological well being. However Chopra is presented with the equanimity to deal with powerful conditions posed by calls for of recent day sports activities. “I don’t do something (for good psychological well being). I simply work exhausting and hold my give attention to it,” stated Chopra, wanting ahead to elevating the bar in future.