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Mint
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Mint
Neeraj Chopra after breaking 90m barrier, says ‘Just the beginning... ready to…'
It was a 'bitter-sweet' day for Neeraj Chopra at the Doha Diamond League, where the Indian javelin star finally broke through the elusive 90-metre barrier but was forced to settle for second place. The 27-year-old, who has battled a persistent groin injury in recent years, looked in top form as he launched the spear to a career-best 90.23m on his third attempt. With this throw, Chopra became only the third Asian and 25th athlete overall to surpass the 90m mark — a prestigious group led by his current coach, Czech legend Jan Železný. However, Germany's Julian Weber had the final word in Doha. Weber secured victory with a last-round effort of 91.06m, eclipsing Chopra's mark and pushing the Indian Olympic gold medallist into second place, despite Chopra leading until the final round. Having finally cleared the 90m milestone - a target he had chased for five years - Chopra said there was more to come, especially now that he feels close to full fitness. The focus, he added, is on refining his technique under Železný, with whom he has been training since February, although their partnership officially began in November. Also read | Neeraj Chopra on friendship with Arshad Nadeem after IND-PAK conflict: 'We were never really close friends, but if…' 'I am very happy with the 90m mark but it's a little bit of a bitter-sweet experience actually. But never mind, I and my coach are still working on some aspects of my throw. We started working together only in February this year. I am still learning things,' Chopra was quoted as saying by TOI. 'I was always feeling something in my groin in the last few years. I did not give my best because of that. This year I feel much better, we will also work on some aspects and so I believe I can throw more than 90m in the upcoming events this year till the World Championships.' The World Championships are scheduled in Tokyo from 13 to 21 September. Asked about his next target now that the 90m barrier had been crossed, Chopra said, 'My next goal is just 90m. I believe I am ready to throw farther. It's just the beginning of a long season.' He added, 'I am very happy that Jan Železný is my coach and we worked very hard in South Africa. We are still working on some aspects.' Chopra credited the favourable conditions in Doha for aiding his big throw and revealed that Železný had predicted a 90m effort even before the competition. 'When I was having warm-up throws my coach said today is the day when I can throw 90m. After my 90m throw also, he told me I can throw 2-3m farther.' Read | Shame, we won't have Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem at Neeraj Chopra Classic: Julius Yego | Exclusive 'The wind helps for sure and the weather is a little warm and that helps. It's the first competition of the year, so everyone came with a fresh mindset after a long time and has hunger inside for the throwing part.' 'I also told Julian (Weber) that we can throw 90m. I am also happy for him. We have tried very hard for 90m for so many years, and so we are happy. It's like a good push between us and in the next competition we will push each other again and will throw farther,' he added. This was not the first time Chopra had finished second after a record-breaking throw. 'It had happened earlier also. When I threw an NR with over 89m in Turku, I finished second. In Stockholm DL, when I threw 89.94m, I was second again, so also here,' he said. Meanwhile, Weber, who also crossed the 90m mark for the first time, expressed delight over the competition and Chopra's breakthrough. 'I did not know how it happened. I had a very good massage thanks to my physiotherapist. It was fun today. Neeraj threw his first 90m plus and I went past the mark in my last throw and that was just perfect.' 'I was very happy for him. We have been fighting for the 90m throw for a long time and we both achieved that today. So, it was very special for us.' Weber's 91.06m effort — the best in the world this season so far - made him the 26th athlete to breach the coveted distance. Two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada finished third with a best of 84.65m, recorded on his opening attempt.
India Today
09-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
IPL 2025: Bomb threat at Arun Jaitley stadium declared hoax, security increased
The bomb threat at the Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi has turned out to be a hoax, but the security at the venue has been stepped up. Teams of Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) and dog squad, along with the Delhi Police teams rushed to the iconic venue after the the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) received a bomb threat on Friday, May 8. advertisementHowever, an official confirmed that it was just a hoax. The DDCA secretary, Ashok Sharma, said that they received the threat via email, and they immediately forwarded it to the police. Mr. Sharma said that the Delhi Police bomb squad came and inspected the whole venue and nothing was found. Also Read: Cricketers support IPL 2025 suspension amid IND-PAK tensions "We received a bomb threat via email on the address of DDCA. We immediately forwarded it to Delhi Police. The Delhi Police bomb squad came and inspected the whole venue. Nothing was found," DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma told PTI.A source in the Delhi police told PTI that multiple teams rushed to the venue and they had done a thorough check. The source also said that the security in and around the stadium has been stepped up. advertisement"Nothing suspicious was found. Further, we have stepped up security in and around the stadium," said the suspended for a weekThe BCCI on Friday announced that the ongoing IPL season will be suspended for a week due to rising cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan. The development follows the PBKS vs DC clash being cancelled mid-way through the game due to air raid alerts in nearby areas. The BCCI have assured that the new schedule and venues will be announced in due course. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend the remainder of the ongoing TATA IPL 2025 with immediate effect for one week. Further updates regarding the new schedule and venues of the tournament will be announced in due course after a comprehensive assessment of the situation in consultation with relevant authorities and stakeholders," read the statement from the IPL. Inputs from PTI IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
Mint
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Shikhar Dhawan's relationship news with Sophie Shine sparks 'Gabbar' memes
Ever since former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan confirmed his relationship with Sophie Shine – an Irish product consultant – the announcement has sent fans into a frenzy, with netizens using hashtags like "Gabbar is back". This is Dhawan's first ever confirmed relationship after his divorce from his ex-wife Aesha Mukherji in 2023. Reportedly, Dhawan and Shine first crossed paths during a cricket match in Dubai. While their initial interactions were kept private, their bond is said to have strengthened over time. The two have since been seen together frequently at public events, particularly at sporting venues, fuelling speculation and curiosity among fans about the nature of their relationship. The couple's photograph went viral on social media (Instagram) on Thursday, sparking curiosity among people. Is this him making things official? Shikhar Dhawan made a public confirmation after captioning the Instagram post as "My Love" with a red-heart emoji. During his illustrious career that spanned over a decade, Dhawan has played some truly fascinating innings that have made his special nickname 'Gabbar' famous across the cricketing circuit. In a conversation with SportsTak, Dhawan revealed the story behind how he came to be known globally as 'Gabbar'. Read | 'Aao tumhey chae pilata hun'; Shahid Afridi's sarcastic dig at Shikhar Dhawan after IND-PAK debate over Pahalgam issue "I was playing in the Ranji Trophy and was sitting at silly point. When the other team has a big partnership then the players tend to get down. When I was sitting, I used to shout, 'Bahut yaarana hai suar ke bacchon' and everyone used to burst out laughing. Our coach (Vijay) kept my name Gabbar from there only. From there, the name became so famous that cricket fans all over the world now call me Gabbar only," he had said. First Published: 2 May 2025, 11:02 AM IST
