Missed natural feeling of being in world-class event but staying positive for Tokyo: Neeraj Chopra
“I listen to slow music and imagine that I am in a competition, taking part and throwing in the Olympics, so that I don’t feel completely new in my first competition,” Chopra revealed in an online interaction from his training base in Upsala, Sweden.
Touted as one of India’s strongest bets for a medal in Tokyo, Chopra said his build-up to the Games has been quite challenging given the lack of competitive exposure but he is trying to stay positive for the big event.
The 23-year-old Chopra said he has missed the ‘natural feeling’ of being in a world-class field, except for one occasion, in the run up to the Games which open on July 23. He meditates to keep himself focussed when not training. That one time was the Kuortane Games event in Finland on June 26 where he won a bronze with a performance of 86.79m in a star-studded field comprising, among others, Olympics gold favourite German Johannes Vetter, who won the event with a massive throw of 93.59m.
“I had a new experience in Finland. During the run-up, I felt the real experience of a top-level competition, the kind of natural feeling which gives you the best performance comes after you take part a lot of world class events,” Chopra said from his training base at “For me, that was the only time,” he added.
Talking about the challenges that came with the restrictions that came into force because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chopra said he has tried to stay positive nonetheless. “I did not get good international competitions when I wanted and there had to be several changes in training and competition schedule.
“But, I am in positive frame of mind because a lot depends on the performance of the day. I am just hoping to give my best and realise my dream of winning a gold for the country.”
