ON FIRE: Neeraj Chopra flings javelin 90.23 metres to create history

Neeraj Chopra celebrated his promotion as Lt Colonel in the Territorial Army in his own special way. At the WANDA Diamond League meet in Doha on Friday night, the Indian cracked the 90-metre barrier with the javelin, sending the nation into a frenzy. From the common man to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, everyone applauded the throw of 90.23 metres which Neeraj unleashed.

To say this was a smash hit performance from Neerj would be a nice statement. However, this is just the beginning, as he can add a few more metres to his fling with the javelin when he competes in more international competitions. There was something very special about Neeraj on Friday night. For those who watched him ’live’ and replays of his third throw, this was clean stuff.

He started his run, accelerated, then shuffled his last few strides sideways, which is the correct way to unleash body dynamics and give it a push. At release point, Neeraj was all pumped up and he gave it all he had. It was pretty much like watching a tearaway fast bowler in motion ready to fire the cricket ball at the batter. No, here it was about how Neeraj was going to create the trajectory. The moment he released the javelin and saw it gain height and eventually land, Neeraj had himself started clapping in his own, inimitable style. Such things happen only when an athlete is mastering it and knows the effort is good.

Neeraj enjoys warm conditions, so the setting in Doha was ideal. For those who have asked Neeraj Chopra hundreds of times when he will cross the 90-metre mark, Friday was the D-Day. He did it, and now tells us this was more a question about his fans being satiated rather than a personal landmark for himself. Of course, smashing the national record is a big thing, and Neeraj is now on an incredible high. And he also said, there is more to come in 2025.

The goal for Neeraj Chopra will be the World Championship in Tokyo this September. By then, Neeraj should be adding more confidence to his persona and be ready to rock the arena. Sample this, when Neeraj was competing in 2024, he was weighed down by a groin injury. He was, perhaps, thinking about it as well. Yet, the thought never became a worry, as he won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

To the naked eye, the difference between Neeraj in 2024 and today, he looks more bulked up. He has worked hard on his upper body frame, with the muscular man looking macho. The javelin event is, indeed, highly technical. For Neeraj to train under legend Jan Zelezny and learn more in terms of technique and translate it into a better performance, the gains are tangible.

Rewind to January 2025, Neeraj had quiet wedding with Himani Mor, his childhood friend. He spent private time with his lady and quickly returned to training under the watchful eyes of Zelezny. The former three-time Olympic champion has asked Neeraj to train in South Africa. Neeraj says he feels comfortable with his new coach, someone he had idolised since younger days. The 90.23 metres will be bettered, as Neeraj knows, going into the World Championship, he has to produce that one lethal throw. As of today, he looks in great shape and head space to achieve glory for India.