Olympic gold medalist, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra addressed a press conference from the United States of America on Thursday. After a successful 2021, the 24-year-old gold-medalist said that he is looking to do well in 2022.
Neeraj Chopra wants to do well in World Championship, Diamond League, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games that are set to take place in 2022. He also said that the 90-meter barrier has been crossed by the world's greatest javelin throwers, thus he is working hard to achieve this target.
He is adapting to new training methods as he prepares for the further challenge. "The last three weeks have been very good for training. Yes, initially the fitness was a bit low, but slowly the fitness is coming back again," Neeraj Chopra said during his press conference.
"Training is going well. I am doing fitness, endurance training. There may be stress with Corona, but I am ready. Coaches say that if I pay more attention to technique, then I can cross the figure of 90 meters continuously."
Neeraj Chopra is currently training in America. He said that he is conscious of the Covid appropriate behavior even though the virus is not a major problem in the US currently. "If you have to go and play in different countries, then you have to pay attention to it and train and play in the same way," Neeraj said.
Neeraj Chopra won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in Javelin throw. His second throw of 87.58 meters was enough for India to secure a gold medal in Tokyo 2020. Chopra picked up India's first medal in Track and Field event, ever!
He expressed happiness with the youngsters turning towards track and field. "Many children are coming to the track and field in India, despite Covid. Parents have changed a lot now. This is great news for Indian athletics," he said.
When asked if he will be able to play in the National Championship in March, he said that it will be decided by the coach. They have just started training and have not decided it yet.
Reflecting on the changes that occurred in his life after the Olympic Gold, he said, "There (in India) relatives and friends were calling again and again during the wedding season. Coming here (in the USA), now I am completely focused on training. I am living the life of an athlete again."
While describing his. daily routine in America, he said, "I eat my breakfast at 7.30 in the morning, then practice and take some rest after lunch. Practice again in the evening. I practice twice a day. I have fun training. Life is very simple, that way."
'Had Gained 12-13 Kilos After Olympics'
"After coming from the Olympics, I had no restrictions on eating. I ate everything from sweet to whatever I liked. I had gained 12/13 kg. After that, it was getting difficult to start training again. Had to push extra every time. But now slowly everything is coming back on track. Now I have reduced 5/6 kg again," Neeraj Chopra said.
"In competition, I stay completely different from training. Mind and body are completely opened. I am very focused. Maybe that's why there is better performance," he concluded.
'Haven't Taken The Booster Dose Yet'
Still I have not taken booster dose but there are plans. It is in the mind that what are the rules in different countries. But I am only training from my side and I am not thinking much about what is not in my hands.