I’ve to work on my technique to overcome foul throws, says Neeraj Chopra

Being the flag bearer of Indian contingent at the recently concluded Asian Games opening ceremony in Jakarta was one big morale booster for India’s new poster boy Neeraj Chopra. 

To this Armyman, such an honour made him more determined to give that extra in an event, javelin throw, where India had not done well in the past. The result was in front of everyone as Neeraj not only won that coveted gold for India but also created a new national record with a throw of 88.06m. 

This Asian Games gold medal came weeks after the death of his former coach Gary Calvert in China, who guided him to become a junior world champion. “He told me he would be with me at the Asian Games (as national coach of China) but that did not happen,” remembered the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games gold medal winner..

But this 20-year-old has a new headache to overcome. 

Having finished disappointing sixth with one of his worst performance this season in the IAAF Continental Cup at Ostrava, Czech Republic, only few days after his heroics in Jakarta, Neeraj has zeroed in on his mistake that has been bothering him for quite some time now... “I need to work on my technique to ensure that my throw lands within the sector. It generally lands close to the left side, and sometimes goes out,” was how a candid confession comes from this star athlete in his conversation with DNA on Tuesday.

He went on to discuss about his future goals during the discussion. Excerpts...

You spoke about problem of committing fouls by throwing it too wide (For readers: A javelin must land within the two sectors in the field set at an angle of 28.95 degrees to the runway)?

Yes, this has been an area which needs to be corrected soon. Though, it was a bit of disappointment for me at the Continental Cup recently but I learnt a lot through the new rules being introduced there. It was a constant pressure on thrower to be at his best because after every three throws only one with the best throw will go through and the other one is eliminated. Unlike in major championships where a thrower can win the competition with just one good throw, one needs to come up with three throws at least to win the Continental Cup.

There also your last throw landed outside sector?

Yes, my first two throws were fine with 76.95m and 80.81m. Though my third throw was 85m-plus but was declared foul as it was declared ‘sector out’. This helped my competitor from Chinese Taipei (Chao-Tsung Cheng) to progress with a throw of 81.81m. I need to work hard to overcome this problem of mine throwing it wide towards my left side.

Is the new format more exciting?

The new format was introduced this year with an aim to make the event more interesting. In this changed format, every competitor (in horizontal jumps and throws) was given three attempts. The best athlete from each team from these three rounds gets a chance to have the fourth throw. The top two performers from the fourth round will each have one more attempt and the performance in that fifth and final round will determine the winner.

Coming back to the fouls, do you think you need to change your technique?

Certainly, I need to make few changes or adjustments in my technique. But that doesn’t mean a massive change. It is about the angle of release. The spear is going sideways and more towards left. I have to bring it towards the centre for a perfect angle of release so that the spear goes farther. Hopefully, I shall be able to overcome this issue before the WC next year.

What’s your immediate plan after such a hectic season has come to an end?

I’m only thinking about recovery right before the WC. The little bit of training will keep on going at Patiala centre. Body certainly needs rest after such an exhaustive season.

Tell us how difficult it is breaking 90m barrier for you?

It’s certainly not easy. I remember I was throwing 86m-plus in 2016 and it has taken two years to reach 88m mark. The journey will become even more difficult if I have to go beyond 90m distance. But for this I have to work on my ‘angle of release’. For a longer throw, the angle has to be perfect.

Is it training abroad or specialised coaching or something else?

It’s combination of everything. I had training sessions in Offenburg, Germany, under Werner Daniels (reputed coach) and now I’ve started training under new coach (Uwe Hohn). I’m sure that his guidance would help me reaching this milestone. But I believe in simple thing that every athlete has to give his best during the training sessions. Once we do that, results will follow.

How do you sum up your 2018 season?

It has been very satisfying one. I have been consistent at 85m-plus and in Jakarta I managed to throw 88m. I am confident that 90m is within my reach. But before doing that I will have to throw at around 88m consistently.

Do you believe that even reaching 90m can get you an Olympic medal. Because we have throwers (reigning Olympic and European champion Thomas Rohler) who have been reaching a distance of over 95m. 

I’m only focussed on my progress. And one has to understand that it only matters on the day of the competition ‘who is giving his best’. Don’t forget that in London Olympics, the gold medallist could only throw till 84m.