Neeraj Chopra Responds On Breaking 90m Mark In Javelin Throw, Says 'My Best Is Yet to Come'

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is setting his sights on breaching the elusive 90-metre mark in his upcoming competitions. The ‘Golden Boy’ of India has won it all in his short career, his triumphs range from Olympics Gold to World Championship Gold.

 

Golden Neeraj Chopra:

 

Olympics: GOLD

World Championships: GOLD (+ 1 Silver)

Diamond League: GOLD

Asian Games: GOLD

Asian Championships: GOLD

Commonwealth Games: GOLD

Despite his incredible achievements, Neeraj said that his best performances are yet to come. He recently defended his Asian Games title in Hangzhou and expressed his determination to make improvements, particularly in his leg-blocking technique.

"I want to say this very clearly that my best is yet to come. I have not felt in a competition for a long time that I have done my best or done near my best," PTI quoted Neeraj as saying at a promotional event.

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He mentioned that he was just 6 cm short of the 90-metre mark in the Stockholm Diamond League in June 2022 and believes that he could have achieved it with a slight adjustment.

"6 cm is left to be achieved. It was 89.94m at the Stockholm Diamond League (in June 2022). I was a bit behind the line that time. Had I thrown my javelin by moving a bit ahead, it would have been 90m," Neeraj said.

Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan achieved a personal best throw of 90.18m when he clinched the Commonwealth Games javelin throw title in Birmingham in 2022. Neeraj did not compete in that competition due to an injury.

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Neeraj, known for his flexibility and arm speed, recognised the significance of leg work in javelin throwing. He stressed the importance of refining his leg-blocking technique and expressed his commitment to making significant improvements in this aspect.

"My coach always says that it is 60 per cent legs and 40 per cent upper body. So leg work is very important. I have to do a lot of improvement in leg work," the reigning Olympic Gold medalist said.

"I do a lot of things good. My flexibility is quite good, but personally I feel because of my arm speed, I am doing very well. Next year, I feel I will improve on my technique, and will work more on my strength and flexibility. If everything is alright, 100 percent fit and my groin is all right, I will do very well in the Paris Olympics," Neeraj concluded.