Hindustan Times (Patiala)

Narsingh in dope mess on day teen sets javelin mark

18-yr-old Neeraj Chopra shatters world under-20 javelin record

- HT Correspond­ent letters@hindustant­imes.com

NEW DELHI: Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra broke a world record on Saturday, becoming the first Indian sportspers­on in this category to win a title at the world U-20 athletics championsh­ips.

The 18-year-old’s feat came as a silver lining for Indian sports on a gloomy day, when Rio-bound wrestler Narsingh Yadav failed a dope test.

The javelin thrower’s massive second throw of 86.48m at the meet in Bydogszcz, Poland, shattered the old mark of 84.69m set by European champion Zigsimunds Sirmais of Latvia. After opening with 79.66m, which was eclipsed by South Africa’s Johan Grobler (80.59m), Chopra virtually eliminated the competitio­n with his second try. His third attempt measured 78.36m, and the fourth was a foul. Although Chopra bettered the Rio qualifying mark of 83m, it came too late as the deadline for meeting the Olympics norm was July 11. “My ultimate target was to qualify for the Olympics, but I didn’t make it. My other goal was to win at the World U-20 Championsh­ips,” he said.

Neverthele­ss, Chopra was delighted with his record. “It’s an incredible feeling. I was feeling strong and confident before the event, and after the first throw, I was sure I could go farther,” he said.

CHANDIGARH: On Saturday, 18-year-old javelin thrower from Haryana Neeraj Chopra created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win gold at the World Championsh­ips in any age group. Neeraj’s throw of 86.48 metres also got him the junior world record. Despite the success, the new star of Indian athletics is disappoint­ed that he is not competing at the Rio Olympic Games next month.

Excerpts:

Were you expecting this stunning performanc­e in Poland?

As per the junior world ranking, I was at the top. Before leaving for the junior World Championsh­ip, I knew I was going to win gold. But I never expected the javelin would travel this much. It came as a surprise for me. The junior world record is the icing on the cake.

During the event, when did you realise that the day belonged to you?

In the qualificat­ion round, I threw a distance of 78m without much effort. I realised that my body and technique were working absolutely fine and that I was going to hit the jackpot in the final. In the final, my second throw was pretty good and I thought it would have touched 82-83m. But when it turned out to be 86.48m, I was overwhelme­d… it was a surprise for me too.

For the last couple of months you were training to qualify for the Olympics. But you missed the Rio bus. Are you disappoint­ed at not being able to make the Rio cut?

Olympics are every player’s dream. Despite winning gold in the junior World Championsh­ip, which in itself is not a small achievemen­t, I am disappoint­ed at missing the Olympics. Earlier I was trying to cross 83m — the qualificat­ion mark — but I couldn’t and when I did, the qualificat­ion deadline was over (July 18). Anyhow, I will try next time and I’m sure I’ll win a medal.

Since when have you been pursuing the sport and how did you get hooked on to it?

Like every other youngster in my village (Khandra in Panipat district, H aryana) I was doing sports for fitness. I didn’t have much idea about javelin. It was sometime around mid-2011 that I got into throw events because of my friend Monu, who is also a javelin thrower. After joining the national camp last year, a senior thrower, Rajinder Singh, guided me and it’s because of his motivation that I was able to better his national record. Australian coach Garry Calvert also has a major contributi­on in my progress.

The place you hail from doesn’t have many sports facilities, especially for throw events…

Initially it was tough. There is no bus connectivi­ty from my village to the stadium in Panipat, and at that time I didn’t have a vehicle. It used to take me hours commuting. But, it is because of these hardships that I have been able to achieve this much. Frankly speaking, this is just the beginning. I have to achieve a lot.

Give us an insight into your family background.

I am from a humble farming family. Though making ends meet was not a problem, we still had limited resources. It was only in 2014 that I was able to buy my first javelin that too of mediocre quality. I bought two for `14,000 while the internatio­nal-level javelin cost around `1 lakh. I was able to train with topquality javelins when I joined the national camp.

What about your future plans?

I will discuss it with my coach and, most probably, I will train in Europe, preferably Finland, which is the hub of javelin throw. At the same time, I will also look for a job, as it will give me some sort of security.

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 ?? GETTY ?? Neeraj Chopra became the junior world javelin champion on Saturday.
GETTY Neeraj Chopra became the junior world javelin champion on Saturday.

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