Silver medallist Neeraj Chopra throughout an interview with The Hindu in Paris on August 10, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: Ritu Raj Konwar
For the reason that nation grew to become impartial, 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 offered the Indians to witness a type of alternatives.
Neeraj Chopra unique: ‘Glad to have received silver’
| Video Credit score:
Ritu Raj Konwar
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 best present on earth.
“It’s the truth of sports activities. Regardless of how huge a champion somebody is, he doesn’t at all times win. Someday or the opposite the outcome doesn’t go in his favour. It might have been nice had the Nationwide anthem been performed. However I’m pleased with the silver medal I received for the nation,” Chopra informed The Hindu in an unique interview throughout his go to to Omega Home in Paris.
Chopra had some points together with his run-up throughout the javelin remaining competitors, after which he was seen going as much as that space to test one thing. “Loads 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 needed to take a look on the space.”
On the sphere, Chopra pumps himself up with some aggression, which typically could also be misconstrued as his anger. “Sure, I do get offended. I can’t say I get offended on the sphere. I get aggressive on the sphere. I feel it’s obligatory typically. I attempt to deal with it. Together with the aggression, I attempt to preserve my concentrate on approach 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 tough to compete regardless of an harm. As an alternative of the efficiency, you focus extra on not aggravating the harm. Regardless of that I carried out properly and received my season finest throw.”
Aside from addressing harm points, Chopra, who’s but to cross the 90m mark, needed to enhance the technical aspect 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,” mentioned Chopra.
A number of athletes throughout varied 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 contemporary day sports activities. “I don’t do something (for good psychological well being). I simply work onerous and preserve my concentrate on it,” mentioned Chopra, wanting ahead to elevating the bar in future.