Editorial Exclusive Interviews Olympic Sports Paris 2024

“Lot yet to be achieved” – Neeraj Chopra in his own words

August 10, 2024
Snehasis Mukherjee
Neeraj Chopra in the Paris 2024 Olympics
Neeraj Chopra in the Paris 2024 Olympics (PC: RevSportz)

Boria Majumdar and RevSportz staff

Neeraj Chopra secured India’s first silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing just behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem in the Men’s Javelin event. Following his gold medal triumph in Tokyo, this marked his second consecutive Olympic medal. Many now regard him as one of the greatest athletes in India’s history. In a discussion at Omega House in Paris, Neeraj spoke with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar, and other correspondents, sharing insights on his experiences, key lessons, rivalry with Nadeem, and more. Here are some highlights from the conversation.

To Boria Majumdar

From where do you manage the consistency?

First of all, Paris went well. I managed a season’s best in both the qualification round and final. For me, it was one of the most tough competitions in the history of javelin. I worked hard a lot, especially for the Paris Olympics, but faced a little trouble due to that groin issue.

Can you describe the injury?

When you run or throw, then maximum effort goes into the groin, and legs are crucial for a throw. If your legs are not working properly, it puts a lot of impact on your throws. Last year, we consulted doctors and the decision was that I may have to go through a surgery. That time, it was my decision on what needs to be done and then, the World Championship was there and preparation time for Paris was also less. So, now, I will focus on that and will discuss with my team and aim to get fit.

Words on Vinesh Phogat?

For any wrestler or boxer, this weight thing is a big challenge. The way Vinesh was playing from the start, everyone was expecting a gold medal only. From her side, she tried her best but still, those 100 gms, she could not manage. Personally, I think she deserved the medal and the way her journey has been throughout the Olympics, then I think that she deserved that medal.

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What is your thought on India vs Pakistan in Javelin?

Look, this thing will continue. I just want to say that this is sports, and there is no fixed day that I will win. One day, Arshad will win. Everyone knows that since 2016, Arshad and I are competing together, and for the first time in this event, he has defeated me. Still, it felt good because he has worked hard, his throw was superb and you have to accept that.

As per my preparation and the conditions out there, I also hit the season’s best. So, the competition was very tough and it was a good day for Arshad. Not so good for me, as I had the belief in me that I can hit that much-awaited throw this time around, but it did not happen.  

Words on India’s sporting culture and fans’ journey with the athletes

­I am talking about the way we are comparing our Paris campaign with Tokyo in terms of medals. Medals could have been and all these fourth-place finishes, no one expected. But if you see performance-wise, there are many athletes who have done superb. Badminton, Boxing and Shooters have also done well this time around. Junior athletes have done well. So, this a good sign that despite not getting that many medals, our future is looking bright. Mindset of junior athletes at the Olympic Games is looking good. For example, see Manu’s experience in Tokyo and then, her comeback in Paris. Same with Nishant [Dev] and Lakshya [Sen]. So, the medal count might show less but in the next LA Olympics, all of these athletes will be more mentally tough. The best part is that they are putting up a fight with the world’s best athletes and that definitely helps.  

To Rohan Chowdhury

Our target was to react the double-digit mark in terms of medals this time. But we finished at 4th position in 6 events. So, how you see the progression as a sporting nation?

As a sporting nation, we are absolutely improving, and performances have been good. Junior athletes have performed well and that is beneficial because whenever they will participate in the next competition, they will play along with the Olympics experience. They can handle the pressure very well then, and can do better in the next Games also. As a country, we have many junior athletes and that is a good thing to have.

 

Everyone calling you the ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of All Time). What is your thought on that, and what are the takeaways for you from this Paris campaign?

What can I say on this? But, in sports, we always have ups and downs. Personally, I think that there are lot of things which yet to be achieved. Medals are okay, but in Javelin, distance is the important factor and I need to work on that.

If you ask key takeaways, then, I need to keep myself fit and injury-free because injury prevents an athlete from achieving what he or she can achieve! I am not thinking about performances, that will come if I keep myself fit and injury-free.        

To Abhijit Deshmukh

What it takes to become Neeraj Chopra?

See, everyone has their different journeys, and they can make it more different with hard work. So, keep working hard and keep thinking positive. Only then you can do well in your respective sports.

How you do it with so much consistency?

Right now, I am throwing in a weird manner. There are some issues in my technique. Continuous training helps a lot.  

Already, you have won everything. Two Olympic medals also. How do you see yourself in the coming days?

After 2018, I sensed that throws are coming out good. Even after Tokyo, I sensed the same. But, every year, injuries have become a concern and then, maximum time goes only in order to manage that. Your training gets disrupted, preparation gets halted and your fitness gets decreased. As of now, planning is to work on that and do well in the upcoming events.

 

Also Read: Omega House, Dame Ennis-Hill and Neeraj’s throws with perfect timing