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 turned unbiased, the Indian Nationwide anthem has been performed on the Olympics platform solely seven occasions. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s historic efficiency within the Tokyo Video games offered the Indians to witness a kind of alternatives.
Neeraj Chopra unique: ‘Completely happy 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 night time, 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. Irrespective of how large 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 could 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 in the course of the javelin remaining competitors, after which he was seen going as much as that space to examine one thing. “A number of my throws have been foul throws. A few of these I did intentionally, although. I used to be simply checking the place I bought blocked. I simply needed to take a look on the space.”
On the sector, Chopra pumps himself up with some aggression, which generally 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 crucial generally. I attempt to deal with it. Together with the aggression, I attempt to maintain 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 properly and bought my season finest throw.”
Other than addressing harm points, Chopra, who’s but to cross the 90m mark, needed 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,” mentioned 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 laborious and maintain my give attention to it,” mentioned Chopra, trying ahead to elevating the bar in future.