‘It was important to register good throw at the start’: Neeraj Chopra after winning gold at Tokyo Olympics

Vinayak Padmadeo

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 8

There is a reason why Neeraj Chopra is a likeable person. The first Indian track and field athlete to win an individual gold medal, Neeraj thanked the staff and officials of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for the medal and said “Thank you so much, I know you have worked hard for this. Let me show you the medal,” the javelin thrower said with a beaming smile.

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The Junior Commissioned Officer of the Indian Army also thanked Anju Bobby George, who before Neeraj’s gold was the only other Indian to have medalled at a major tournament ndash; a bronze at the World Championships in long jump. “You and Milkha Sir and many others have been an inspiration to me and many others. My only desire was to follow in your footsteps and hope we do better,” he told Anju during an interaction organised by the AFI after his win on Saturday.

On a serious note, the ‘boy with the golden arm’, said key to Saturday’s historic gold was registering a good throw in his first two attempts. Neeraj’s first attempt was 87.03 metres that was enough to finish first in the field of 12, which included the likes of Johannes Vetter, who has registered 17 throws of over 90 metres in the last year alone. Neeraj’s second throw was a monstrous 87.58 metres that settled the medal.

“It was important to register a good throw at the start. Two things happen if you register a good throw after that. One, those in the contest get under pressure (as they try to better your throw) and two it gives you the confidence to do better. Think my first throws were important for me to win today,” Neeraj said.

“Look what happened to Vetter. Do not know whether he was under pressure or something else, he failed. I feel bad for him. You don’t want to see a champion thrower like him getting eliminated after the first three throws,” he added.

Neeraj further added that he went blank before his final throw after the gold medal was assured, after the Czech duo of Jakub Vadlejch and Vitezslav Vesely failed to better India’s throw of 87.58.

“Honestly, I went blank. I did not know what to do. Then it occurred to me that I should try to better the Olympic Record of 90.57m. Ours is a technical sport. You can use all the power but if you err in technique, you will fail. That is what happened. I gave it all but my last throw wasn’t perfect,” he said.

Mission 90 metres

After winning the gold, Neeraj is scheduled to hit the road and participate in the Diamond League. While it is not sure whether he will participate at the Pairs meet to be held on August 28 or one in Brussels on September 3, the lifelong ambition to cross the elusive 90-metre mark burns bright. And he said he was looking forward to crossing the mark.

“I am supposed to participate in the Diamond League but all will depend on whether I get time to practise once I return. If all goes well I will definitely attempt to cross the 90-metre mark,” he said.