Javelin star Neeraj aiming for 90m to boost chances of Gold at Olympics

India’s only gold medallist in athletics at the Commonwealth Games this month, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has set aim at the 90m mark to improve chances of winning a medal at the Olympics.

The 20-year-old produced a season best of 86.47 metres to became only the fourth Indian individual to win a CWG track and field gold.

“I had trained in Germany (under prominent coach Werner Daniels) for three months. I used to train and also cook my own food. I had to work hard for this gold and I hope this motivates others to also take up the sport and do well for the country,” Neeraj said.


“My main target is to achieve a distance of 90m. That is a benchmark at world level and if I can throw that much then I will be able to win a medal at world level and also at Olympics.”

German duo of Johannes Vetter (94.44) and Thomas Röhler (93.90) are placed second and third in the all-time list of top 25 javelin thrower, which is topped by Czech Jan Zelezný (98.48).

Neeraj’s coach legendary German Uwe Hohn, a former world record holder, is the only javelin thrower to cross 100m mark with a throw of 104.80 in 1984, two years before the men’s javelin was re-designed, which shortened the throwing distance by approximately 10 percent.

About future events, Neeraj said: “Asian Games is next... But before that I will take part in a few Diamond League series, where the competition is tough. Then there is also World Championship next year.

“The competition is good in Asian Games. Chinese Taipei, Qatar and there are a two or three other countries doing well.”