New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra has made it clear that breaking the 90 metre mark is no longer his primary goal, insisting that winning medals and maintaining consistency at the highest level remain his biggest priorities. As the reigning world champion prepares to return to the Commonwealth Games, the two time Olympic medallist said success in major competitions is measured by titles rather than distances.
Chopra, who achieved a personal best throw of 90.23 metres at the Doha Diamond League last year to finally cross the much discussed 90 metre barrier, said he has never been obsessed with reaching a particular mark. Instead, he believes the ultimate objective is to outperform the world’s best athletes when it matters most.
While acknowledging that he always aims to improve his throwing distance, Chopra explained that external factors such as wind and weather often influence performances in javelin events. He stressed that the ability to remain consistent under difficult conditions is what separates elite athletes from the rest.
Even after achieving the long awaited milestone, Chopra said he remains motivated to push himself further and continue improving his performances.
The 28 year old also welcomed the growing standard of competition in Asia, pointing to the rise of Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage. According to Chopra, stronger competition benefits everyone by encouraging athletes to raise their level and produce better performances.
Returning to the Commonwealth Games for the first time since winning gold on his debut in 2018, Chopra expects a highly competitive field featuring Olympic, World Championship, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games medallists. He also believes weather conditions, including rain and wind, could make the competition more challenging, although he noted that every athlete will compete under the same circumstances.
Chopra said he is now fully fit after recovering from injury and feels physically stronger following months of focused training. Looking back, he described the Commonwealth Games as a special event that marked the beginning of his senior international career when he claimed the gold medal eight years ago.
The Indian star said representing the country at major multi sport events always carries special significance and expressed happiness at returning to the Commonwealth Games stage. Chopra will begin his campaign on July 30 in the men’s javelin qualification, aiming to continue his remarkable success and add another prestigious medal to his already decorated career.
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