New Delhi: Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra expressed his delight as para javelin thrower Sumit Antil clinched gold on the newly-laid Mondo track at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium during the World Para Athletics Championships. Chopra, a two-time Olympic medallist, said he would love to compete on the top-notch surface in New Delhi.
A few months ago, Chopra had requested the Union Sports Ministry to install a Mondo track in India, highlighting that it would help athletes train better for international competitions. “I am extremely happy that the Mondo track has been laid here because internationally we have to compete on this surface,” Chopra said, who visited the venue specifically to watch the para javelin event. “I would love to compete here again. I last competed at JLN Stadium in 2016 and definitely want to come back.”
Chopra, who was unable to defend his world title in Tokyo due to back spasms, praised Sumit Antil’s performance. Antil continued his golden run by winning his third consecutive title at the World Para Athletics Championships, taking the men’s F64 event with a meet-record throw of 71.37m, surpassing his own previous mark of 70.83m.
“He set the championship record, though I think he could have gone for the world record as well,” said Chopra. “It’s a huge achievement that such a mega para athletics event is taking place in our country. I congratulate Devendra Jhajharia for this milestone.”
Chopra also credited the rise of Indian javelin on both Olympic and Paralympic stages to Jhajharia’s pioneering efforts. “India has become a powerhouse in javelin not because of me but because of Devendra Jhajharia. He started it by winning Paralympic gold, then I came into the Olympics, and now our para athletes like Sumit and Rinku are carrying forward the legacy,” he added.
