Neeraj Chopra on his Paris Olympics prep: 'The josh is unbelievable'

2024 Olympics prep | Neeraj Chopra said: “I have been in a great space and want to carry forward that momentum from May onwards... (the) best is yet to come.” (File image: wires)

Neeraj Chopra, the reigning World and Olympic champion in javelin, has said his focus is on being in the best possible shape as he heads to Paris in July-August this year to defend his gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in the French capital.

According to a Sports Authority of India (SAI) media statement, Chopra, who will be training in Turkey this week ahead of returning to outdoor competition for the first time this year, said he was in “top physical shape” and “has never felt so good before.”

“I want to be in the best possible shape before Paris,” the 26-year-old told SAI Media. “My training sessions have gone off really well so far. I always lay stress on fitness along with strength and technique.

“This is the best I have felt in a long time, but I must add that training and competition are not the same. When you wear the India jersey, the feeling is different, the josh (rush of adrenaline) in us is unbelievable.”

Chopra, who won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the World Athletics Championships in 2023, admitted life has been “very different” since the Tokyo Games. He said his performance in recent meets indicated his preparation for global tournaments was on track.

“I have won medals in two World Championships, threw my personal best (89.94 metre at Stockholm), won a dream Diamond League title and even defended my gold at the Asian Games. All in all, I have been in great space and want to carry forward that momentum from May onwards,” said Chopra, adding that his “best is yet to come.”

“I have felt at my best only once before during the 2016 World Junior Championships. But after that, I think, I can do better and am still not satisfied. I am working hard and let’s see where I finish,” said the javelin superstar.

As for the much-talked-about 90-metre mark that has eluded the star athlete, Chopra echoed his oft-voiced thought that distance did not matter to him. “What matters to me is staying 100 percent fit, being consistent during the season and delivering on the day that matters. I think there are mistakes to fix and, looking at the increasing competition all around, one has to keep improving. The road will close if you think you have done it all,” said Chopra.

Chopra also said that the 19-year-old German javelin thrower Max Dehning’s effort of 90.20 metre at a national winter meet in his country recently “did not add any pressure” on him. Instead, said Chopra, Dehning’s throw was a reminder that Paris 2024 will witness competition of the highest level.