Training is fine but I need competitions before Olympics: Neeraj Chopra


Team Udayavani, May 12, 2021, 1:33 PM IST

New Delhi: The training has gone along just fine but Olympic-bound star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Wednesday said he is desperate for some competition ahead of the Tokyo Games given that two years have simply been ”wasted” because of injury and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 23-year-old, who is being seen as a strong medal hope in Tokyo, said he has been coordinating with the Sports Authority of India to get some competition exposure.

”I am trying to give my 100 per cent in training and have been training as I used to do before. The focus on training is good and it is happening well. But I am in need of competitions and we are trying for it,” he said in a virtual interaction, arranged by SAI and Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

”I have spoken to TOPS and SAI and they are also trying their best from their end if anything can happen and I can get competitions. Because, it has been over two years that I haven’t played international competitions.

”I feel that I need that thing. Due to injury in 2019 got wasted and 2020 and 2021 have been wasted due to COVID-19,” he elaborated.

During the interaction, Chopra’s emphasised on competition, saying that training alone is not enough to fetch good performances at the big stage.

”…if we don’t play competitions, then what is the use of the training. We are training from last year, but we need international competitions. If we are thinking about the Olympic level, then we also need to compete with those athletes.

”I don’t have an experience of playing in the Olympics, this will be my first time,” he said, adding that the COVID-19 threat is there for everyone.

Chopra said despite the negative environment created by the pandemic, he is keeping himself ”positive”.

”…for every athlete it is becoming difficult. Along with the training, athletes are not getting competitions. I consider myself lucky that I played in a competition and qualified for the Olympics.

”COVID-19 has spread in our country and at the same time, we have to be positive and prepare for the Olympics. On (the other) side, a negative environment has been created in the country.

”It is becoming difficult, but we are trying to keep the focus, work hard, and help others. We have to continue with our sport and keep training. We still don’t know whether the Olympics will happen or not, but we are training well,” he said.

Chopra, who had smashed his own national record with a throw of 88.07m during the third Indian Grand Prix in March, also said the way his preparations have been going, ”he is very close” to the 90-metre mark.

”I am ready (and confident) that I will cross the 90-metre mark this year,” he said.

The star also revealed that he has taken the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine and nobody in his family is affected due to the virus.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Wanted to kill Ajmal Kasab who caused so much of pain, recalls 26/11 terror attack victim

Two retired revenue officials among four arrested in land grabbing case in Jammu

Kerala govt to revise manual for junior doctors, house surgeons

State can interfere with religious practices if they impede development, equality rights: SC

Four cheers at MP’s Kuno park; cheetah Neerva gives birth to cub quartet

HC directs Delhi govt to appoint ex-officio members to state mental health authority

‘Challenge after 44 years’: Supreme Court junks pleas against ‘socialist’, ‘secular’ in Preamble

Related Articles More

Mumbai Indians have got the playing 12; very happy to pair Bumrah with Boult: Akash Ambani

IPL Auction 2025 | GT buy Washington Sundar for Rs 3.20 crore; Shaw, Shardul go unsold

Virat Kohli doesn’t need our support, but we need the support of Kohli: Bumrah

Perth Test, Day 4: Siraj removes Smith as Australia go into lunch at 104 for five

Skipper Rohit Sharma hit nets following arrival in Perth, will play two-day game in Canberra

MUST WATCH

Coconut Flower

Prakash Belawadi

Naxal Leader Vikram Gowda

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar


Latest Additions

Wanted to kill Ajmal Kasab who caused so much of pain, recalls 26/11 terror attack victim

Two retired revenue officials among four arrested in land grabbing case in Jammu

Kerala govt to revise manual for junior doctors, house surgeons

State can interfere with religious practices if they impede development, equality rights: SC

Four cheers at MP’s Kuno park; cheetah Neerva gives birth to cub quartet

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.