Latest news with #GoldenSpikeAthletics
News18
25-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
'I Am Not That Happy': Neeraj Chopra Admits To Below-Par Performance In Ostrava
Last Updated: Neeraj Chopra won Ostrava Golden Spike with an 85.29m throw, but was not satisfied with his performance, aiming for better results at the World Championship. Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has said that although he is very happy with his win at the Ostrava Golden Spike event on Tuesday, he isn't very happy with his performance, which saw him manage a throw of 85.29m to bag the title, way below his personal best of 90.23m, that he bagged last month in Doha. While Neeraj finished at the top, South Africa's Douw Smit finished second with an 84.12m throw, while Grenada's Anderson Peters was third with 83.63. Germany's Thomas Rohler finished a surprising seventh with 79.18m in a nine-man field. Neeraj's best throw of 85.29m was enough to bag the victory over his eight opponents at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event in Ostrava. 'I am not that happy with my performance today, but I am very happy with the trophy I won. I used to watch this meeting a lot as a kid. I watched people like Jan Zelezny and Usain Bolt winning the Golden Spike, and I dreamt of winning one as well," Neeraj said after the event. Though he led the charts, the two-time Olympic medallist admitted that he fell short of his expectations in front of a packed crowd. 'I know the javelin throw is very popular in Czechia. The amount of support we were getting from the crowd was crazy. I just wish I could have performed better for them," Neeraj said. The two-time Olympic medallist recorded his winning effort in the third round after opening with a foul and a second throw of 83.45m. Neeraj followed up with 82.17m and 81.01m before another foul in the last round. Despite a modest mark by his high standards, he continued his strong form this season, coming off a Diamond League victory in Paris just days earlier. Neeraj's next outing will be at the NC Classic in Bengaluru on Saturday, July 5, where Peters and Rohler are expected to compete as well. Unwilling to put himself under pressure of regular 90m throws, Neeraj had said that he had a good feeling about the Golden Spike Athletics meet in Ostrava as he builds up for his ultimate goal this year, a top finish at the World Championship in Tokyo.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Neeraj Chopra has eyes set on Tokyo World Championship after breaching 90-metre mark
Unwilling to put himself under pressure of regular 90m throws, Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra says he has a good feeling about Tuesday's Golden Spike Athletics meet here as he builds up for his ultimate goal this year — a top finish at the World Championship in Tokyo. Neeraj defeated Julian Weber to win the Paris Diamond League with a throw of 88.16m last week. The two-time Olympic medallist said with Czech great Jan Zelezny by his side as his coach and with his own determination, he is confident of good results. The 27-year-old is riding high on his maiden 90m plus throw that he achieved in the season-opening Diamond League meet in Doha. 'I am really happy to work with such a great athlete and coach. I've already thrown 90m this year after a little bit of an improvement in technique. So let's see, when it comes next time but I am ready. Recently, we've done a good training in Nymburk (Czech Republic). So, I'll do my best here in Ostrava,' he said. '(The) main goal for the season is obviously World Championships in Tokyo,' added Neeraj, who won a gold at the previous edition of the biennial showpiece. RELATED: 'Need to work on core muscles and make my body stronger,' says Neeraj Chopra Neeraj said part of his excitement for Tuesday's event comes from watching greats like Usain Bolt on TV, compete here in the past. 'When I was kid, I watched a lot of videos and photos of athletes as Usain Bolt competing here. I came last year but I didn't compete because of injury. 'Now I feel good, but I don't want to put any pressure on myself for 90m. But I'll try really hard.' The World Athletics Championships will be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 this year. Neeraj, who won gold in 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver in 2024 Paris, spoke highly about his coach Zelezny. 'When I competed at the Diamond League in Doha, there were a lot of Indian people who wanted to take pictures with Jan. And they are intense so I was a bit worried about him. But he left the hotel quickly,' he said. Besides the World Championships, Neeraj is also excited about the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw meet to be held in Bengaluru on July 5. 'This will be my first really serious competition in India with international athletes, on July 5. I still have to manage a lot of things before competition but it will be a good experience,' he said. 'So now, it would not be good if I would say no to people. And I'm happy that now in India people recognise other sports than cricket.' ALSO READ: Neeraj Chopra wins first Diamond League title in two years after finishing top in Paris Talking about his gold-winning throw at the Paris Diamond League, Neeraj said he is happy with the effort despite not being able to touch the 90m mark. Neeraj's coach Zelezny was also quite satisfied with the progress of his ward. 'I am happy about the situation. What's important for javelin and throws in general as athletics is not only about sprints. Neeraj opened the doors to other countries, it's great for our sport,' he said.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Ostrava Golden Spike: Neeraj Chopra eyes another win as he returns to Ostrava
22:28 (IST) Jun 24 As he builds towards his ultimate goal — a top finish at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo — Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra says he isn't placing himself under the pressure of chasing 90-metre throws every time he steps out, though he's quietly confident ahead of the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava on Tuesday. 'I feel good, but I don't want to put any pressure on myself for 90m. But I'll try really hard,' Chopra said told reporters ahead of Tuesday's Golden Spike Athletics meet . 'I've already thrown 90m this year after a little bit more improvement in technique. So let's see when it comes next time, but I am ready.' The 27-year-old javelin superstar, fresh off his Paris Diamond League win (88.16m) over German Julian Weber, is focusing more on technical refinement than chasing numbers every meet. 'Recently we've done a good training in Nymburk (Czech Republic), so I'll do my best here in Ostrava,' he added. Part of Chopra's excitement at competing in Ostrava stems from childhood memories. 'When I was a kid, I watched a lot of videos and photos of athletes like Usain Bolt competing here. I came last year but I didn't compete because of injury,' he recalled. His primary focus, though, remains the World Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 — where he hopes to add to his gold from the previous edition. 'Main goal for the season is obviously World Championships in Tokyo,' said Chopra. The Haryana athlete is also looking forward to a milestone moment on home soil — the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5. 'This will be my first really serious competition in India with international athletes. I still have to manage a lot of things before competition, but it will be a good experience,' he said. 'Now it would not be good if I say no to people. And I'm happy that now in India people recognise other sports than cricket.' Working with Czech legend Jan Zelezny, the three-time Olympic gold medallist and world record holder, has been a major boost. 'I am really happy to work with such a great athlete and coach,' Chopra said. The growing popularity of their partnership hasn't gone unnoticed. 'When I competed at Diamond League in Doha, there were a lot of Indian people who wanted to take pictures with Jan. And they are sometimes… you know… very intense. So I was a bit worried about him. But he left to the hotel quickly,' he laughed. Zelezny, for his part, is pleased with the progress. 'I am happy about the situation. It's important for javelin and throws in general, as athletics is not only about sprints,' the Czech great said. 'Neeraj opened the doors to other countries, it's great for our sport.'
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First Post
24-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Ahead of the Ostrava Golden Spike meet, Neeraj Chopra recalls a memory of Usain Bolt associated with the event
Indian star athlete Neeraj Chopra also spoke about the pressure of winning the Ostrava Golden Spike meet and his main goal for 2025 season. read more Unwilling to put himself under pressure of regular 90m throws, Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra says he has a good feeling about Tuesday's Ostrava Golden Spike Athletics meet in the Czech Republic as he builds up for his ultimate goal this year — a top finish at the World Championship in Tokyo. Also Read | Neeraj defeated Julian Weber to win the Paris Diamond League with a throw of 88.16m last week. The two-time Olympic medallist said with Czech great Jan Zelezny by his side as his coach and with his own determination, he is confident of good results. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD World Championships is Neeraj's main goal in 2025 The 27-year-old is riding high on his maiden 90 m-plus throw that he achieved in the season-opening Diamond League meet in Doha. 'I am really happy to work with such a great athlete and coach. I've already thrown 90m this year after a little bit of an improvement in technique. So let's see, when it comes next time but I am ready. Recently, we've done a good training in Nymburk (Czech Republic). So, I'll do my best here in Ostrava,' he said. '(The) main goal for the season is obviously World Championships in Tokyo,' added Neeraj, who won a gold at the previous edition of the biennial showpiece. Neeraj said part of his excitement for Tuesday's event comes from watching greats like Usain Bolt on TV, compete here in the past. 'When I was kid, I watched a lot of videos and photos of athletes as Usain Bolt competing here. I came last year but I didn't compete because of injury. 'Now I feel good, but I don't want to put any pressure on myself for 90m. But I'll try really hard.' The World Athletics Championships will be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 this year. Neeraj, who won gold in 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver in 2024 Paris, spoke highly about his coach Zelezny. 'When I competed at the Diamond League in Doha, there were a lot of Indian people who wanted to take pictures with Jan. And they are sometimes…you know…very intense so I was a bit worried about him. But he left the hotel quickly,' he said. Besides the World Championships, Neeraj is also excited about the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw meet to be held in Bengaluru on July 5. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'This will be my first really serious competition in India with international athletes, on July 5. I still have to manage a lot of things before competition but it will be a good experience,' he said. 'So now, it would not be good if I would say no to people. And I'm happy that now in India people recognise other sports than cricket.' Coach Zelezny praises Neeraj Chopra Talking about his gold-winning throw at the Paris Diamond League, Neeraj said he is happy with the effort despite not being able to touch the 90m mark. Neeraj's coach Zelezny was also quite satisfied with the progress of his ward. 'I am happy about the situation. What's important for javelin and throws in general as athletics is not only about sprints. Neeraj opened the doors to other countries, it's great for our sport,' he said.
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Chopra eyes gala win at Golden Spike
Ostrava: Forcedto skip the last two editions due to fitness issues, Indian javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra will look to claim the title when he makes his debut at the Golden Spike Athletics meet on Tuesday, an event that his coach Jan Zelezny won nine times in a storied career. The 27-year-old Chopra has had an impressive season so far, having won his first Diamond League title in two years in Paris after also breaching the elusive 90m mark during his second place finish in Doha DL in May. He was to take part at Golden Spike -- a World Athletics Continental Tour Category A event -- in 2023 and 2024 but had to skip the meet on both occasions. In 2024, he was present as a guest after opting out of competition due to an adductor muscle niggle. The double Olympic-medallist will be all the more eager to win the title as the Golden Spike was world record holder Zelezny's happy hunting ground during his playing days. The Czech legend, now 59, won nine titles between 1986 and 2006 -- few of them with 90m-plus throws -- in this prestigious event which was first held in 1961. Chopra has competed in Ostrava in the past but not at Golden Spike.
