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Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena (Credit: Twitter)
Neeraj Chopra lauded the rise of compatriot Kishore Jena, even joking that the later might get to the elusive 90m-mark before him.
Neeraj Chopra is currently in Antalya, Turkiye, working hard to fine-tune his body as the off-season winds down. His mind though is in Paris, for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Neeraj had ended last season with a stunning gold, despite in-field and off the field challenges. Come July, the 26-year-old World Champion will look to defend his Olympic gold in Paris.
“Whatever shortcomings there were post the Tokyo Olympics, I have resolved. The balance is perfect and I am positive both mentally and physically,” Neeraj said during an interaction with select media, organised by JSW Sports.
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“There is a change in the mindset. My self-confidence has improved. I have played two World Championships, one silver and one gold. I have won the Diamond Trophy, I have won the Asian Games Gold as well. Because of all these experiences, I have a belief that I can do well among the elite athletes.
“My mind automatically knows that this is my second Olympics, and I want to be prepared better. I want to make sure I do better. It’s all fine-tuned inside now. I am not doing anything special for mental training,” he added.
First up, the Doha leg of the Diamond League series on May 10, which will see Neeraj joined by Kishore Jena. In fact, as Neeraj won gold (88.88m) at the Asian Games, Kishore Jena had clinched silver (87.54m).
When asked about his compatriot, he said: “Last year, he (Kishore) had tremendous progress. First in the world championships and then at the Asian Games. He has improved a lot in terms of his distance.”
Neeraj even joked that Jena might even get to the elusive 90m mark before him.
“I have been stuck between 88m and 90m from 2018. Who knows you guys keep asking me the 90m question, who knows Kishore achieves the landmark before me? It would be great. Yes, we have come a long way in javelin, but that 90m mark has to be achieved,” he said.
“Yes, it has felt great competing with Kishore Jena. We will then meet again in Doha. For the first time, there will be two Indians in the Doha Diamond League. It will be fun. (Murali) Sreeshankar will also be there. See, if many Indian athletes are competing and winning in Diamond Leagues, then we can think about the Olympics also,” he added.
Neeraj even hopes that he and Kishore can be on the podium at the Paris Olympics together.
“It will feel like a dream come true, two Indians standing on the podium. If it is more than two, it is even better. This happened at the Asian Games and if it happens again at the Olympics, it’ll surely be a lot of fun. So let’s wait and I’m sure Kishore Jena must be working hard to do even better.”
As for his own journey to the 90m, Neeraj feels it will come before the Paris Olympics itself if it happens.
“I will try and go for it before the Games. If something like that has to happen, hopefully, it happens before the Olympics. 90m mark. Everything is going well. I hope we don’t have to wait till the Olympics. If it has to happen, hopefully, it happens before the Olympics,” he said.
Neeraj will compete in the Diamond League meetings followed by the Paavo Nurmi Games before the Paris Olympics.
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