NEW DELHI: Even though Neeraj Chopra has won every award his sport has to offer, the Olympic champion is not one to rest on his laurels. Instead, he pushes himself to achieve even more since "throwers have no finish line."
With a long throw of 88.17 meters on Sunday, Chopra became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Championships in Budapest. His ornate trophy cabinet was lacking one prize-a gold from the World Championships.
Chopra has won the gold at the Asian Games (2018) and Commonwealth Games (2018) in addition to the Tokyo Olympics gold. He has also won four individual Diamond League Meeting titles (two each in 2022 and 2023) apart from Diamond League champion's trophy last year.
Chopra had also won the Asian Championships in 2017 and was crowned junior world champion in 2016.
So, what remains to achieve now?
"There is a saying that throwers have no finish line. The best thing is that we have our javelin. We can always push ourselves. I may have won a lot of medals but the motivation is to throw farther and farther," Chopra said during a virtual interaction.
"By winning these medals, I should not think that I have achieved everything. I will work harder, push myself harder to win more medals and bring more laurels for my country. If other Indians join me on the podium next time, that will be great," he said.
Although there has been talk of throwing 90 meters for the past three to four years, Chopra stressed that it is not a mental challenge for him.
"I was feeling very good this year and thought I would throw 90m. But in between groin injury has come and created problem. I had throws very close to 90m last year. It will come some day but don't know when. I won't take pressure thinking for that.
"What is more important is the medal. I give more importance to consistency, that gives confidence in big events.
"When I reach 90m, I will also try to keep it consistent. I have been working hard and waiting when will it come," said the 25-year-old Chopra, in ominous signs for the rest of rivals in the world.
Winning the gold medal in the World Championships, he claimed, was a dream come true.
"This was great. After the Olympic gold, I really wanted to win the World Championships. I just wanted to throw farther. This is brilliant for the national team, but it was my dream to win gold at the World Championships.
"This has been a great championships for India, and I am proud to bring another title to my country. I wanted to throw more than 90 metres tonight but it needs all parts of the puzzle to be there. I couldn't put it all together this evening. Maybe next time."
Not 100 per cent fit, recent groin injury in mind
Between winning two Diamond League championships in Doha (May) and Lausanne (June 30), Chopra sustained a groin injury (adductor muscles) while training abroad.
He missed three prestigious competitions as a result.
1/10:Neeraj Chopra wins India's first World Championships gold
Getty Images
2/10:Neeraj Chopra
<p>Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday in Budapest. </p>Getty Images
3/10:India vs Pakistan
<p>Neeraj Chopra pipped Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem in the javelin final with an 88.17 metre effort. </p>Getty Images
4/10:World Champion
<p>Neeraj Chopra won Olympic gold in Tokyo but managed only a silver at the worlds in Eugene last year. </p>Getty Images
5/10:Arshad Nadeem
<p>Pakistan's Nadeem, coming back from elbow surgery and a knee injury, produced his season's best effort of 87.82 on his third attempt to win the silver medal. </p>Reuters
6/10:Jakub Vadlejch
<p>Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch took the bronze with 86.67. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Season-best throw
<p>Neeraj Chopra needed only one attempt in the qualification round to lead the field with a season-best 88.77 metres. </p>Reuters
8/10:Deliberate foul
<p>But the Indian was unhappy with his first effort in the final, deliberately stepping over the line for a foul. </p>AP
9/10:Trademark fashion
<p>Neeraj Chopra then soared into the lead on his second attempt, turning his back and celebrating in trademark fashion with his arms aloft while pointing at the sky immediately after his throw, knowing it was good. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Nadeem second
<p>Nadeem was competing in his first event of the year and as soon as the javelin landed on his third attempt, he broke into a wide grin as he moved up to second. </p>Getty ImagesAfter June 30, he took nearly two months off from training and competing altogether before proceeding directly to the World Championships.
"I thought I can produce very good throws till the last attempt. But I had to be cautious, thinking about the groin strain and at the same time had to push myself. I had to take care of my adductor (muscles) and focus on my throws also, that was the issue," he said.
"I will try to be healthy and remain injury-free, prepare and try the best way possible for Paris Olympics," said the Indian superstar.
Rivalry between him and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem
Chopra stated that he will not take too seriously the portrayal of his battle with Arshad Nadeem, who won a silver medal on Sunday with a throw of 87.82 meters, as an Indo-Pak javelin rivalry.
"It is being made like that (Indo-Pak rivalry) there (at home). I don't use mobile much before competition but when I opened I saw India vs Pakistan everywhere. It's all right.
"There (back home) we always have this India-Pakistan thing, that is good for competition but in global events we have to focus on every competitor."
If you see European athletes, they are very tough, they can do anything, anytime. Not only Arshad, Jakub Vadlejch (bronze winner of Czech Republic) is a very good thrower. We have to think for every thrower till the last throw."
He said that after the final, he spoke to Nadeem, who is also the current Commonwealth Games champion.
"We said our two countries are growing in athletics. Earlier, there were more Europeans doing well (in javelin) but now we are competing against them and winning medals. It is good for our countries.
"People used to create pressure of India-Pakistan rivalry. I think people back home will make more (hype) during the Asian Games. It's OK, rivalry is there but my approach is 'take it easy, keep healthy and believe in yourself'," Chopra said.
(With PTI inputs)
