New Delhi: Competing in only three events before the Paris Olympics won’t scuttle Neeraj Chopra’s chances of defending his javelin crown, insists coach Klaus Bartonietz.
Chopra had participated in five events before going on to win gold at Tokyo 2020, India’s first track and field triumph in Games’ history.
But an adductor muscle problem has limited the 26-year-old’s preparation for Paris 2024, though his German coach claims everything is progressing as per their plans.
“It’s just over two weeks left in the Olympics, so the intensity of training is high. He is having full throwing sessions,” Bartonietz told PTI.
“Everything is according to plan. At the moment, no issue with that (adductor niggle), it’s fine, it looks good, hoping to remain like that till the Olympics.”
Chopra is currently training in Antalya, Turkiye, under Bartonietz who has now trained him for five years. He skipped the Paris Diamond League on July 7 and now eyes the qualification round of javelin that begins on August 6.
“There were some minor issues, not worth risking by going there. The venue (of Paris Diamond League) was also not the Olympic stadium (where Chopra will compete on August 6 and 8) anyway, so we decided not to take chances,” the bio-mechanics expert said.
Bartonietz claimed his ward has adopted a similar routine ar Paris to Tokyo Games even though special attention has been on strengthening his blocking leg to prevent his groin from coping with greater pressure.
“You can compete in many events or not, it’s tough to say what is enough (number of events). It depends on the situation. Jan Zelezny (Czech legend and world record holder) says he does not compete in too many events (just two before 1992 Olympics where he won gold),” Bartonietz said.
“Competitions sometimes disrupt preparation and you start all over again. Competing in high class events can become risky also. Travelling too much with logistics, with javelins around the world, is also not good. So, it’s fine, he has prepared and trained well.”
An adductor muscle problem has limited Neeraj Chopra’s preparation for Paris 2024, though his German coach claims everything is progressing as per their plans. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
