Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra broke his own national record enroute to a personal best timing to finish second at the prestigious Diamond League Meet here.
Neeraj came tantalisingly close to achieving the coveted 90m mark in the meet on Thursday night, which was won by reigning world champions Anderson Peters of Grenada with a throw of 90.31m. Neeraj hit the 89.94 mts mark, to miss out on the gold by a narrow margin.
Peters recorded the 90.31m mark in this third throw out of six attempts. Neeraj’s best throw came in his first attempt and after that he could manage only 84.37m, 87.46m, 84.77m, 86.67 and 86.84m. Neeraj, however, bettered his own national record of 89.30m recorded last month at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland.
Germany’s Julian Weber came third with a throw of 89.08m recorded in his fifth attempt. In an exclusive conversation with The Daily Guardian, Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra gave insights on achieving silver medal at Diamond League event and upcoming World Championships. Excerpts
Q. How do you feel about your performance today? Did you expect to start off with 89.94m and how does it feel to get a new personal best and national record?
A. Feels great. There was nothing like I have to win in the first throw. But the mindset was to play well. And you have to put all your efforts. The first throw was very good, it was quite close to 90 meters and looked like it would probably do. But still gave my best so feeling very good.
Q. What was going through your mind when Anderson Peters threw over 90m in the third attempt? Did it push you to try to go beyond him in your remaining attempts?
A. Yes, of course, when Anderson Peterson crossed 90 meters, I also felt that everything has to be done and if the whole technique with a javelin falls in one line, then everything will be perfect. When we put the effort into throwing everything, the body also gets tired. I am happy today, all the throws were good enough. I am happy with this performance. Played Diamond League after a long time and it was good. Now I will put my emphasis on the next competition that will happen.
Q. This was your first Diamond League event after the Zurich finals in 2018. How important are the Diamond League events for you? And how does it feel to do well in such a big event?
A. Yes, it was my first Diamond League after Zurich in 2018. And I like it very much. I like it very much right from the start because world-class athletes come and play with us like in Olympics or World Championships. And it’s a very good competition. It happens in big cities and people come to see it. In India also, people are getting to know what is Diamond League and what the different competitions are. So it feels great.
Q. You have started your season with 3 events. You will to now go Oregon for the World Championships in a few weeks. How do you feel about your form going into Oregon? What will you be focusing on now over the next 18-19 days?
A. I don’t know, it will be known only in Oregon. For every competition, every day is different. And one more thing is that people think that when I start playing in the competition, there will be pressure on me as an Olympic champion, but it is not like that at all. I play with ease and free-mindedness. And I perform well there, and there is no pressure in my mind about anything. I train well and give my 100% in every competition.
Q. This year, there have been some very close javelin events with many athletes doing well. What do you think of your chances of going into Oregon? Are you feeling any pressure as a reigning Olympic Gold Medalist?
A. Yes, for next Oregon, there are not many days left, nothing much will change. Whatever training is going on, I try to improve on that.
Q. Only one Indian has ever won a World Championship medal in Athletics; is there any added pressure on you because of that?
A. No, there is no such pressure that we have won only one medal at the World Championship. I will put my full effort and that is my work and will do just that. There is nothing like pressure in the World Championship. But after going there I will know how the mindset is in Oregon.
Q. There were many people in India trying to follow your performance online and on streams. How does it feel to have had such an impact in a country where athletics is not traditionally followed a lot?
A. Very nice, very happy that people in India are seeing athletes online also. And the biggest thing is that many Indians had come to Stockholm, and Indian Ambassadors also came to meet. It feels great that the love for athletes in the country is growing so much, and people are knowing about it.