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India Today
12-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
I had only dreamt of these things: Neeraj Chopra on his success streak
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated July 21, 2025)Q. How did it feel to finally cross 90 metres at the Doha Diamond League?The 90-metre mark is just a number that has become a magical mark today. And now that it's done, I'm free of the burden. The idea hereon is to keep throwing as far as I can and I will continue putting in the hard work to do that. The most important thing is that there will be no more questions on crossing 90 metres!advertisementQ. Silver in Doha, followed by gold at the Paris Diamond League. What have you got right this year? Though there was a delay in getting started, the training was really good under coach Jan Zelezny in South Africa. I'm able to follow it in training, but I still need to replicate it in competitions. I'm working on things like the run-up and maintaining my posture while throwing.Q. How does it feel to have an event, the Neeraj Chopra Classic, in your name?I had only dreamt of these things. To have a competition featuring world-class athletes at home is the fruition of another dream, just like winning the Olympics or the World Championships. It's very different from winning a medal, but I feel like through this event, too, I have done something worthwhile for India.Q. What do you envision for the NC Classic going forward?There's a lot to learn from this edition and where we can improve. It only features men this year, but we'll look to add women as well. I hope we can make it an annual event and add more disciplines in the future. I want to think about how I can raise the standard of athletics in to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India vs Pakistan! Neeraj Chopra to face Arshad Nadeem for first time since Paris Olympics
Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem (PTI Photo) The much-anticipated face-off between India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem is finally set to unfold once again — this time at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland on August 16. It will be the first meeting between the two javelin giants since their showdown at the Paris Olympics 2024 , where Neeraj finished on the podium and Nadeem made history for Pakistan. Chopra, who recently breached the elusive 90-metre mark at the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 90.23m, has continued to impress on the global stage. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Speaking to ANI at an event, the Olympic and World Champion on Friday emphasised his steady, step-by-step approach to pushing his limits: "I believe in going step-by-step. I have touched 90 m now, so I would like to increase it by one or two metres. Then aim for 95 m. As Sumit (Antil) said, 95 m is indeed possible. Then, after that, I would try breaking my coach's record." That coach is Jan Zelezny, the world record holder (98.48m), and someone Chopra greatly admires. "He has thrown 98m, and so many over 90. Maybe once I hit 95m, then I can start to say something — but right now, I need to keep working," he added. Poll Which athlete do you admire more in the javelin field? Neeraj Chopra Arshad Nadeem Both equally Neither Chopra's 2025 season has been stellar: a win in South Africa, a second-place finish in Doha, top-two finishes in Poland, Paris, and Ostrava, and most recently, a dominant 86.18m win at the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dukung Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma: Mulai Di Sini Limfoma Klik Di Sini Undo by Taboola by Taboola As the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (Sept 13–21) approaches, Chopra is focused on defending his crown. "I am preparing well for it and I hope to give my level best there. It is the biggest and most important competition of the year," he said. His clash with Arshad Nadeem in Poland may not carry Olympic stakes, but for fans across both nations, it promises plenty of excitement and perhaps a preview of battles yet to come. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
India vs Pakistan! Neeraj Chopra to face Arshad Naddem for first time since Paris Olympics
Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem (PTI Photo) The much-anticipated face-off between India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem is finally set to unfold once again — this time at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland on August 16. It will be the first meeting between the two javelin giants since their showdown at the Paris Olympics 2024 , where Neeraj finished on the podium and Nadeem made history for Pakistan. Chopra, who recently breached the elusive 90-metre mark at the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 90.23m, has continued to impress on the global stage. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Speaking to ANI at an event, the Olympic and World Champion on Friday emphasised his steady, step-by-step approach to pushing his limits: "I believe in going step-by-step. I have touched 90 m now, so I would like to increase it by one or two metres. Then aim for 95 m. As Sumit (Antil) said, 95 m is indeed possible. Then, after that, I would try breaking my coach's record." That coach is Jan Zelezny, the world record holder (98.48m), and someone Chopra greatly admires. "He has thrown 98m, and so many over 90. Maybe once I hit 95m, then I can start to say something — but right now, I need to keep working," he added. Poll Which athlete do you admire more in the javelin field? Neeraj Chopra Arshad Nadeem Both equally Neither Chopra's 2025 season has been stellar: a win in South Africa, a second-place finish in Doha, top-two finishes in Poland, Paris, and Ostrava, and most recently, a dominant 86.18m win at the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo As the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (Sept 13–21) approaches, Chopra is focused on defending his crown. "I am preparing well for it and I hope to give my level best there. It is the biggest and most important competition of the year," he said. His clash with Arshad Nadeem in Poland may not carry Olympic stakes, but for fans across both nations, it promises plenty of excitement and perhaps a preview of battles yet to come.
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Neeraj Chopra says he's still mixing up new and old technique after coach Jan Zelezny suggests changes
Able to replicate in competition the technique changes honed during practice, as suggested by his coach Jan Zelezny, is the key to consistent bigger throws, World Champion Neeraj Chopra said on Friday. Neeraj, 27, the current world champion, is fresh after winning the NC Classic, an event he hosted in Bengaluru. With Zelezny coming on board as coach at the start of the season, Neeraj is trying to avoid leaning to the left at the release point and aiming for a seamless transition from the running phase to the cross-step as part of changes to his technique. Trying to use shorter cross-steps to avoid staining his groin is also a focus. Presently, he's yet to get comfortable with the changes. 'I am not able to fully replicate the changes in technique during a competition because it is taking time. I am doing a mix of new and old techniques. I feel if I can replicate the technique that I do in training in competition, then I will get very good results,' Neeraj said on the sidelines of a promotional event for one of his sponsors. The major change that he needs to implement is being more upright at the point of release. Because he leans to the left, he is not able to transfer his full power to the javelin when he releases it. 'I go towards the left a lot if you see my throws. We are focussing on not going towards the left. I waste a lot of power and strength (when I go towards the left) that can be transferred into the javelin. In training, I am able to follow the (new) technique. I am also working a lot on the run-up. The run-up was very good in the Paris Diamond League and the Doha Diamond League but in Bengaluru (NC Classic) it wasn't great because of the headwind. In Ostrava I felt like I would throw well, but the run-up wasn't the best. I am trying to ensure a smooth transition between the running phase and the cross-step phase… like a single flow,' Neeraj explained. A groin strain that has troubled him over the years has not been an issue this season. Neeraj credits staying pain-free to the exercises a doctor in Prague recommended. He also someone Zelezny had consulted, And taking shorter cross steps has helped. 'This year my groin is fine. In January, I was in Prague, and the coach took me to a doctor who had treated him. The doctor asked to do some exercises and that has helped. And the technique that I am trying is also good. Earlier when I did the cross step, I used to take long steps, now I take smaller steps and because of that there is less stress on the groin,' Neeraj said. He had spoken about being frustrated with this particular niggling issue after his silver medal at Paris Olympics last year. Talking about how coach Zelezny reacts based on his performances, Neeraj said the world record holder is 'very patient'. 'When I do well he is happy and when I don't, he says it is ok, we still have time. This year's main target is the Tokyo World Championships,' Neeraj said. The world champion and double Olympic medalist will be based in Prague and Nymburk in the Czech Republic for the next two months ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo, which starts on September 13. He will travel overseas with the satisfaction of hosting a successful inaugural NC Classic with a turnout of nearly 15,000. 'I was wondering if it will be successful, will people come to watch? But almost a 15,000-plus crowd was there. People enjoyed and loved the event. The experience was different, and I was a little worried because the competition was named after me. I was working on all the small details. I felt like I had invited everyone for a meal at my home,' Neeraj said. His family was also in Bengaluru to watch the NC Classic, a memory Neeraj will cherish. 'My mother started crying when I fell after my first throw. She keeps asking me why I lift such heavy weights in training. But that is how mothers are. My dadaji (grandfather) was also there, he took his first flight, he is 70-plus now.'
India Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Neeraj Chopra working on new technique for bigger throws: I was wasting lot of power
Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra said on Friday, June 11 that he was trying to perfect his new technique under the watchful eyes of his coach, the legendary Jan Zelezny. Speaking at an Under Armour event in Gurgaon, Neeraj said that Zelezny had spotted a major flaw in his technique, which was wasting a lot of his raw who recently crossed the 90m barrier, said that he tends to fall towards his left side while throwing the javelin, which wastes a lot of strength that he builds up during his run-up. Neeraj said that if he is able to perfect his new technique and remain consistent, he would be able to throw further in the future. Neeraj said that his ultimate goal was to further his best distance (90.23m) by 1 or 2 coach is very good, he has been a very good, legendary athlete. As a person also, he is very helpful. He is working a lot on my technique," Neeraj said in a media round table in Gurgaon's Ambience Mall. "While throwing the javelin, I tend to fall too much on my left side. I waste a lot of power and strength while doing that. In training we identify those problems, but in competition I am not able to follow that," he up Old and New Technique: Neeraj ChopraNeeraj explained that while he is doing well in training, he has not been able to consistently repeat that in competition."I do well in training, but in competitions I am not able to get the technique right. I tend to mix up old and new technique," he coach, Jan Zelezny, is a three-time Olympic and World Champion and the current world record holder. He is revered as one of the greatest javelin throwers in history, a figure Neeraj Chopra has long had opened up in February 2025, explaining how Zelezny had tweaked his technique in a bid to improve his throwing distance. Under Zelezny's training, Chopra broke the 90m barrier in the Doha Diamond League. Courtesy: PTI Neeraj said that while he has had success under the new coaching team, he has not been able to live up to the mark in all competitions."In some competitions like the Paris Diamond League and Doha Diamond League, it was good, but in Bengaluru it wasn't because there was a bit of headwind also. In Ostrava, I had the feeling that I could throw well, but the run-up and technique weren't good," he double Olympic medallist said he also needs to work on his consistency to hit the 90-mark more often."I have achieved 90m this year. But I need to be more consistent to achieve it more often. I am continuously around 88–89m, and my coach said he is happy, but I need to be more consistent," Chopra said during the launch of the Under Armour store at the Ambience Mall also touched upon his goals in the near future. The star athlete said that his next big goal is to finish on top of the podium at the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 this year."My next target is the World Championships and I want to win there. Before the World Championships, I will plan with my coach and see which event I can compete in to best prepare for it," Chopra concluded.- EndsTrending Reel
