Neeraj Chopra

About his coach Jan Železný:

I’m really happy to work with such a great athlete and coach. I’ve already thrown 90 m this year after little bit more improvement in technique so let’s see when it comes next time but I’m ready. Recently we’ve done a good training in Nymbuk so I’ll do my best here in Ostrava.

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 bit worried about him. But he left to the hotel quickly…

(Jan Železný: I’m happy about the situation. It’s important for javelin and throws in general as athletics, it is not only about sprints. Neeraj opened the doors to other countries, it’s great for our sport…)

About his win at WDL Paris on Friday:

It was not easy, the competition in Paris was quite late.

First throw was good, but I don’t know what happened then…, My last WDL win was in Lausanne 2023 so at the end I’m happy already having a WDL win this year.

Goal for Ostrava:

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 90 m. But I’ll try really hard.

Next goals:

First competition after Ostrava will be Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengalore. After Tokyo Olympics there are a lots of people following javelin in India so I’m very excited. This will be my first really serious competition in India with international athletes, on 5 July. I still have to manage a lot of things before competition but it will be a good experience.

After Tokyo Olympics a lot of people recognise me and sometimes it’s tough. I don’t know if it’s a good habit or not, I can't say “no” to anybody… Back then when I was “nobody”, I had a dream that people know something about our sport. 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.

After Bengalore we’ll talk to my coach and set up the plans for the upcoming events til Tokyo.

Main goal for the season is obviously World Championships in Tokyo.

 

Gout Gout

International debut in Ostrava:

It definitely feels great, I’ve heard that lot of sprinters run here really good, I know Usain Bolt run here nine times, so the event clearly it has a great tradition. After Nationals in Australia I did training, worked on my strenght ands atart to prepare for my European season. Looking forward to my competitions now. I’m looking forward to go out on Tuesday, see how my training has been, how I have improved. I know there is gonna be a good crowd so hope to have some fun.

Season goal:

Main goal of the season is obviously World Championships. Let’s see what I can do on world stage against professional athletes. Hopefully I can run fast and perform well.

On 100 - 200 m:

Definitely I like 200 m more than 100m. As 100 m is a bit short. You start start and here it’s a finish line. 200 m is my specialty, I like to work on the speed.

Being named “new Usain Bolt”:

Who doesn’t want to be Usain Bolt? Being compared to Usain Bolt feels great but would like to put my personality in the upcoming story.