Neeraj Chopra Ready for Paris Olympics Despite Injury Concerns
NEW DELHI: Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw, has been dealing with an adductor issue over the last few months. However, his German coach Klaus Bartonietz has assured that the problem “is fine” now, putting to rest any worries about Chopra’s physical condition.
As the 26-year-old athlete gears up for the Paris Olympics, set to commence on July 26, he has entered the crucial high-intensity training phase. Chopra, who made history by securing the top spot on the podium in Tokyo, is once again India’s strongest contender for a gold medal in the upcoming Games.
Despite a season marred by fitness concerns, Bartonietz remains confident that Chopra is back on the right path and ready to take on the challenges that lie ahead in his quest for another Olympic triumph. “Everything is according to plan. At the moment, no issue with that (adductor niggle), it’s fine, it looks good, hoping to remain like that till the Olympics,” Bartonietz told PTI in an exclusive interview from Antalya, Turkiye, where they are currently based for training.
Chopra Skips Paris Diamond League to Focus on Training
Chopra pulled out of the Ostrava Golden Spike on May 28 as a precautionary measure after feeling discomfort in his adductor muscles. However, he made an impressive return by securing gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland on June 18, achieving a throw of 85.97m. Chopra decided not to participate in the Paris Diamond League on July 7, emphasizing that the event was not part of his competition schedule for this year.
Intensive Training Regimen in Place for Chopra Ahead of Paris
With the qualification round set for August 6, Chopra’s competition day is rapidly approaching. Bartonietz explained that Chopra’s training routine includes morning sessions consisting of sprinting, jumping, throwing, or weightlifting for activation. They conduct two sessions daily, each lasting two to two-and-a-half hours. The approach is similar to the one they employed before the Tokyo Olympics.
Chopra has emphasized that he is prioritizing training over competitions this time around, focusing on strengthening his blocking leg to reduce the strain on his groin. “Yes, generally, javelin throw is all about it (having fast runway and blocking well). It’s very hard to throw far with a poor runway. More the energy you bring with that, the better it is,” said Bartonietz.
Limited Competitions Not a Disadvantage, Says Chopra’s Coach
Chopra participated in a limited number of competitions prior to the Tokyo Games, taking part in five events leading up to his historic victory in Japan. “You can compete in many events or not, it’s tough to say what is enough (number of events). It depends on the situation. Jan Zelezny (Czech legend and world record holder) says he does not compete in too many events (just two before 1992 Olympics where he won gold).”
Olympic Javelin Throw Competition: High Stakes and High Pressure
The Olympic javelin throw competition is shaping up to be a closely contested event, as the world’s elite throwers have not showcased their best performances this season. “Olympics is a high-stakes and high-pressure situation, and anything can happen. Guessing a medal on the basis of statistics is difficult. All the top throwers are training their best, they want to give their best in Paris and win a medal. Just like them, we can also claim that Neeraj can win,” Bartonietz pointed out.
German teenager Mex Dehning is the only one to have thrown more than 90m this year, and Bartonietz said it all boils down to momentum. “An 88m throw may not be enough in the Olympics for a medal but it can happen with an 85m also, you never know. It is like a game of poker and on some days you can throw far if you have momentum.”
Chopra’s Focus on Strengthening Blocking Leg for Optimal Performance
Apart from Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch (silver medal winner in Tokyo Olympics), Julian Weber of Germany, and two-time former world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, Bartonietz also picked Oliver Helander of Finland as a medal contender. The Olympic Stadium in Paris will have purple-colored Mondo tracks, which experts believe give faster timings in races. Asked if Neeraj will gain from the track on the runway, Bartonietz said, “It’s basically for sprinters (to have better timings). It may be good for Neeraj also, of course, but it’s for all javelin throwers, it can be fast. But it is a matter of full use of the speed.”
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