Can Neeraj Chopra win Gold Medal again at Paris Olympics 2024?

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India's campaign in the Paris Olympics 2024 epitomizes the term topsy-turvy. After a bright start to the campaign, near misses have hurt the medal tally and now the Vinesh Phogat saga has further dampened the mood.

But India's golden maverick Neeraj Chopra still going strong and will be taking part in the Javelin Throw final on Thursday (August 8).

After a scintillating outing in the qualifiers campaign, Neeraj will be aiming to make the crown his own in Paris. The Tokyo 2021 Olympics had the rise of Neeraj Chopra, and the anticipation of the entire India will be robust as the golden boy takes centre stage for the battle.

Neeraj Chopra's 'Veni, Vidi, Vici' in Qualification

Neeraj Chopra gave a strong statement in the qualifiers event. Although his qualification was almost surely predicted, the Indian athlete took it up another notch. He took the first attempt and that was a blockbuster, marking 89.34 metre, much to the astonishment of the entire crowd at the Parc des Princes. Neeraj didn't take any single throw after that and now awaits his turn in the final.

Can Neeraj Chopra win the Gold Medal at Paris Olympics?

Neeraj Chopra hit the longest in the qualification, but his contenders are not far off either. As his quest for the Gold medal on the horizon, Neeraj will have to fend off some big names.

The Contenders

Despite recent injuries, Anderson Peters has been exceptional. His personal best of 93.07m is the longest among all contenders, and he threw 88.63m in the qualification.

Jakub Vadlejch is currently the top-ranked javelin thrower and has been in excellent form this year. He also cleared the 88 metres twice and his best throw was 88.65 metres. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem also qualified for the final in his very first attempt, getting over 85 metres with his effort.

Neeraj Chopra and his quest for Gold

Neeraj Chopra's biggest strength is his mentality. The indomitable Indian athlete has had adversities but has always managed to come out of it. And after a fantastic start in Paris, the main aim for Chopra will be to execute his tactics properly.

Chopra's journey to Olympic glory began long before Tokyo. His dedication and rigorous training have been key factors in his success.

"Neeraj's work ethic is unparalleled," said former athlete Anju Bobby George. "He has the talent and the drive to achieve great things." This combination of natural ability and relentless effort has set him apart from his competitors."

One of the critical aspects of Chopra's preparation is his training regimen. He follows a strict schedule that includes strength training, technique refinement, and mental conditioning. His coach, Klaus Bartonietz, plays a crucial role in this process. The Indian athlete flew to Turkey to undergo extensive training ahead of the tournament and a small glimpse at the qualification showed the result of his hard work.

Another factor contributing to Chopra's success is his ability to stay calm under pressure. Competing on the world stage can be daunting, but Chopra has shown remarkable composure.

"His mental toughness is incredible. He knows how to handle the stress and focus on his performance," sports psychologist Shree Advani said.

This mental fortitude will be essential as he prepares for the glory in Paris 2024. The pressure of expectation will always be on elite stars like Neeraj, but he knows how to weather the storm and prevail. If one has to predict the outcome, one can be confident that the Haryana boy will stand at the summit of the podium come Thursday, with the Golden piece hanging on his chest.