Neeraj Chopra is currently recognized as one of the premier javelin throwers globally. From an early age, this Indian athlete was anticipated to excel in his sport, and he has indeed realized that promise. However, a lingering question regarding his career remains: will he ever surpass the 90-meter mark in official competitions?

Chopra became a national icon following his gold medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics, and he has also secured both gold and silver medals at the World Championships. As he approached the Paris Olympics in 2024, expectations were high for him to successfully defend his title. During the qualification round in Paris, he achieved a season-best throw of 89.34 meters on his first attempt, securing a direct entry into the finals. In the final event, he recorded a throw of 89.45 meters on his second attempt, which was his only valid throw, earning him a silver medal as his main competitor from Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem, claimed gold with a record throw of 92.97 meters.

In an interview with Lallantop, the 27-year-old was questioned about whether his achievements in Tokyo created additional pressure for the Paris 2024 competition. He responded, “I typically do not impose pressure on myself to win gold. When I compete, I approach it as if I am a new athlete. I do not dwell on my past performances or how I fared in the previous Olympics. My focus is primarily on what I will accomplish today. It is essential to be in good physical and mental condition to achieve a significant throw.”

Neeraj Chopra's injury struggles

Neeraj also disclosed that injury concerns prevented him from defending his title in Paris, resulting in his defeat to Nadeem in the final. “I am currently facing some challenges. I have been dealing with a groin injury for quite some time, which hinders my ability to push myself during training. Since 2018, I have felt capable of achieving a significant throw, and I am aware of my potential. The pain I am enduring has considerably stalled my career. In terms of consistency, I have regularly thrown distances of 88m and 89m. I believe I should have achieved a greater throw by now. However, injuries can severely impede progress.”

“To address this issue, I will require surgery. I have not made a definitive decision yet, as groin injuries are particularly delicate. The risks involved make a comeback challenging. At present, I am focusing on strengthening the area,” he added.

As the new season approaches, fans are eager to see Neeraj surpass the elusive 90m mark, a milestone that would secure his place among the sport's all-time greats.

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