'We are working on it': Neeraj Chopra discloses plans to consistently reach 90m mark; wins Paris Diamond League
Neeraj Chopra won the Paris Diamond League with a throw of 88.16m. (Image: X)
Indian javelin star
Neeraj Chopra
, after
winning his first Diamond League title in two years
with a throw of 88.16m in Paris on June 21, emphasis his need to strengthen core muscles to consistently achieve 90-plus meter throws in international competitions.
The 27-year-old Olympic medalist plans to focus on improving his technique and body strength while preparing for upcoming events.
Chopra's throw fell short of his
personal best of 90.23m achieved at the Doha Diamond League
earlier this year, where he finished second behind German rival Julian Weber. The competition in Paris featured five throwers from the prestigious 90m club.
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"Yes, I need some more control when I throw, like on the attack.
We are working on it in training, but still, there are so many things we have to change and I need some, maybe, strong core and some more strong body for throwing," Chopra said.
Core muscles play a crucial role in javelin throwing, helping athletes generate and transfer power from the lower body to the upper body, which directly impacts throwing distance and accuracy.
Chopra expressed confidence that achieving consistency is just a matter of time and getting more competition experience.
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The Indian athlete noted satisfaction with his run-up but identified areas for improvement in his throwing technique.
"Like timing, because I feel really good (in the) run up, but the timing was not so good when I throw (the javelin). I go quickly left and it was not good. I need to throw to the front like with the chest and go up with the javelin. We are working on it," Chopra explained.
Currently training under legendary javelin thrower Jan Zelezný, Chopra is preparing for the Ostrava Golden Spike athletic meet on June 24.
The four-day gap between competitions will allow him time for recovery.
His upcoming schedule includes the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics category A event.
"I will compete in Ostrava after four days on June 24. So, yes, I need some recovery. I'm very excited with this (Neeraj Chopra Classic) also. It's really something that I feel I did for my country and people are sporting. Indian people are sporting and they are following javelin (sport) after after the Tokyo Olympics, and I'm very excited.
In future, I'm thinking of making this event (Neeraj Chopra Classic) big," he said.
The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist expressed his ambition to achieve another 90-plus meter throw at the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.
"I'm expecting like, hoping for again some 90m throw (in world championship) because I broke that barrier in Doha. So now I believe I can do it some more... some far throws. But let's see, it's depend on the weather and good condition, how the body feels, but maybe I will throw far in this season," Chopra stated.
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