Srinagar: Multiple Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra on Friday achieved his personal best in the javelin by breaching the 90m mark in the Diamond League.
Neeraj sent his spear to 90.23m in his third attempt to join a list of javelin throwers, led by his current coach Jan Zelezny of Czechia, who had recorded 90m-plus efforts. He became the third Asian and 25th overall to achieve the feat.
However, Weber turned the tables and took the top spot with his sixth and final throw, measuring 91.06m. Chopra was leading before Weber’s final attempt.
“A lot of people had questions. Many even used to say that it won’t happen because I’ve been trying to breach 90m since 2018. I had reached 88-89 many times (but not 90m). So finally… not mine but the burden is off the shoulders of Indians,” Neeraj Chopra told RevSportz.
Zelezny was roped in as Chopra’s coach in November last year. But Chopra said they have been working together since February only.
“I am very happy with the 90m mark but it’s a little bit of a bitter-sweet experience actually. But never mind, I and my coach are still working on some aspects of my throw. We started working together only in February this year. I am still learning things,” Chopra said after the event.
“I was always feeling something in my groin in the last few years. I did not give my best because of that. This year I feel much better, we will also work on some aspects and so I believe I can throw more than 90m in the upcoming events this year till the World Championships,” Neeraj told reporters in Doha.
Asked about his next goal now that the 90m mark is broken, Chopra said, “My next goal is just 90m. I believe I am ready to throw farther. It’s just the beginning of a long season.
“I am very happy that Jan Zelezny is my coach and we worked very hard in South Africa. We are still working on some aspects.”