New Delhi: Legendary para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia is confident about star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra breaching the elite 90-metre mark soon enough, saying that it’s just a matter of time for him to reach the feat. He also predicted the time frame in which Neeraj can hit even 93 metres. Neeraj won a silver medal in the Paris Olympics with a throw of 89.45 metres earlier this month and won a silver medal.
The gold medal was claimed by Arshad Nadeem, Neeraj’s arch-rival and a good friend, who shattered the previous Olympics record with a monstrous throw of 92.97 metres and stunned the javelin world. On Thursday, Chopra finished second in the Lausanne Diamond League 2024 as well with a best throw of 89.49 metres, which was his last attempt. He registered a new season’s best as well with the effort. It was two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who hit the 90.61-metre mark to finish on the top.
Jhajharia, a legend and a double Paralympics gold-medallist (F46 category) in para-javelin throw said when Chopra will breach the 90-metre mark, it will be with a bigger margin, going past the mark by 3 to 4 metres.
“If I say in the language of javelin throw, 89-plus has become a barrier for Neeraj currently. I have seen in my sporting career of 20 years, when a barrier is broken it does not break by just a mere metre or so, but by 3 to 4 metres,” Jhajharia told PTI.
The 43-year-old further added, “When Neeraj does that, he will not throw just 90-plus, his javelin will go 3-4 metres farther. Please remember my words. So, Neeraj will throw 92m to 93m when the barrier is broken. He should do it in one or two years.” Jhajharia was elected as Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president in March this year.
Neeraj’s peak form yet to arrive
Jhajharia shone for the nation in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 as well, bagging a silver medal to become the most decorated Paralympian of India. He also said that Chopra’s form will peak in the next two years. “Age is in his favour, 26 is no age and I am hoping that he will be at his peak when he is 28 or 29. By then, he will do his best. He is very disciplined and very dedicated. I have seen that when we trained together in 2022 in Finland,” he said.
Neeraj, who will turn 27 in December this year, is now preparing for the Zurich Diamond League and the Diamond League final in September.
Devendra Jhajharia showed faith in Neeraj Chopra to breach the 90-metre mark, claiming that he will hit 93 metres in a couple of years. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
