‘Happy that now in India people recognise other sports than cricket': Neeraj Chopra on organising NC Classic in July
Neeraj Chopra who is set to compete in the Golden Spike Athletics meet at Ostrava on Tuesday, said that his ultimate goal for this year was to win the world championship at Tokyo, set to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21. He also shared his thoughts on competing at Ostrava and the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru in July.
'This will be my first really serious competition in India with international athletes, on July 5. I still have to manage a lot of things before competition but it will be a good experience. So now it would not be good if I would say no to people. And I'm happy that now in India people recognise other sports than cricket,' Neeraj said on organizing the NC Classic.
The 27-year-old who finished on top of the podium last week at the Paris Diamond League with a throw of 88.16m, refused to be bogged down by the pressure of regular 90m throws.
'I am really happy to work with such a great athlete and coach. I've already thrown 90m this year after little bit more improvement in technique. So let's see when it comes next time but I am ready. Recently we've done a good training in Nymburk (Czech Republic) so I'll do my best here in Ostrava. Main goal for the season is obviously World Championships in Tokyo,' he said.
Chopra also said a part of his excitement for the Tuesday's event comes from watching on TV, greats like Usain Bolt compete here in the past.
'When I was kid, I watched a lot of videos and photos of athletes as Usain Bolt competing here. I came last year but I didn't compete because of injury. Now I feel good, but I don't want to put any pressure on myself for 90m. But I'll try really hard,' Neeraj said.
Chopra, who won gold in 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver in 2024 Paris, spoke highly about his coach Zelezny.
'When I competed at Diamond League in Doha, there were a lot of Indian people who wanted to take pictures with Jan. And they are sometimes…you know…very intense so I was bit worried about him. But he left to the hotel quickly,' he said.
(With agency inputs)
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