Decoding Neeraj Chopra's solid 2024 season despite injury
Neeraj Chopra, India's ace javelin star, concluded his 2024 season with a commendable performance in the Diamond League final on September 14. Despite battling a persistent groin injury throughout the year, he managed to secure second place in Brussels. His campaign this year began at the Doha Diamond League where he finished second with a throw of 88.36m, just 0.02m behind Czech athlete Jakub Vadlejch.
Chopra's victory at Federation Cup and Paavo Nurmi Games
Following his performance in Doha, Chopra returned to Bhubaneshwar for the Federation Cup. Here, he clinched the gold medal with a throw of 82.27m. The Indian star then proceeded to the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku as part of his preparation for the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite his injury struggles, he emerged victorious at these games, boosting his confidence ahead of the Olympics.
Chopra's performance at 2024 Paris Olympics
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chopra achieved a throw of 89.45m, marking his second-best attempt at that time. However, he had to settle for silver as Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem secured the gold medal with a record throw of 92.97m. Despite this setback and ongoing injury concerns, Chopra remained determined and continued his season at the Lausanne Diamond League.
Chopra's resilience at Lausanne Diamond League
In Lausanne, Chopra showcased his resilience by achieving a throw of 89.49m, securing second place in the meet. This performance propelled him into the fourth spot in the Diamond League standings. Despite rumors of an impending surgery due to his injury, Chopra chose to delay it and focus on his Olympic year commitments instead. His physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha played a crucial role in keeping him match-fit during this challenging season.
Chopra's performance in the Diamond League final
Chopra started off strong with an initial throw of 86.82 meters, trailing closely behind Peters's first throw of 87.87 meters. However, his second attempt fell short at 83.49 meters before rebounding in his third try with a mega throw of 87.86 meters. This put him just behind eventual winner Anderson Peters by a mere 0.01 meter, keeping him in contention for the top spot throughout the event.
Chopra's future aspirations and concluding remarks
Looking ahead, Chopra is set to address his health issues before the new season commences. He expressed his aspiration to breach the 90m mark in the upcoming season. "It was probably the day for a 90m throw. It was needed as well. I haven't thought about it (90m throw) that much, but it's on my mind now," he told India Today after the Olympic final in Paris.
