Neeraj Chopra won the javelin throw gold at Paris Diamond League

Tokyo 2020 Olympic javelin throw champion and Budapest 2023 world champion Neeraj Chopra achieved success at the Diamond League in Paris. The big star of Indian athletics won the competition with 88.16m. He registered this result on his first attempt and then failed to improve his distance, making three faults.

Munich 2022 European champion and world leader for the season with 91.06m Julian Weber was second with 87.88m. Brazilian Luiz Maurício da Silva improved the continental record with 86.62m to take third place.

“I’m happy because before I threw 90 meters, I was asked a lot of questions about it. In every interview, everyone asked me, ‘When are you going to throw 90 meters?’ So I’m very happy that that question is gone. I’m very happy with the throw. I hope to throw much further than 90 meters”, said Neeraj Chopra

He revealed that he will compete in the Ostrava tournament on June 24. Javelin throwing legend Jan Zelezny, who is the director of the Ostrava event, is working as Chopra’s coach. Neeraj Chopra called it “one of the biggest competitions in track and field”.

“It was a very good start. I felt really good in the beginning. But today I had too much speed. The track was perfect, but I couldn’t handle my speed today. So I need to work on my last swing. It was a really good run. I’m happy with the run and also with the throw itself. The start was good, but I was hoping for more good throws. I’m happy to win here”, said Neeraj Chopra. “I feel really good because in athletics you can say I am famous from India. But you know how big cricket is in India. I am very happy to represent my country in athletics and I am proud that other young athletes are emerging. Maybe in a few years they will throw long and also do well in other athletics disciplines. So I am very happy that not only me but other young athletes are emerging from India”, added he.

Neeraj Chopra was also asked if being a great javelin thrower makes him a good bowler in cricket as the throwing motions are similar.

“I’ve never tried it because in cricket we have to throw the ball down. But in javelin we throw it up. But I’ll definitely try baseball, I’ll do a few throws when I’m in the US. After Tokyo (winning Olympic gold in 2021) I was in Chula Vista for three months training. Maybe next time I come to the US I’ll try baseball”, finished Neeraj Chopra.