World Athletics Championships: Neeraj Chopra not carrying specific throwing distance or medal target in his mind

India's golden boy Neeraj Chopra is going to lead the Indian athletes in the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, starting August 19.

The star javelin thrower - who is the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist - has revealed that he's not setting any specific targets for the upcoming world championships. Instead, the Haryana boy has emphasised his priorities, whether it's his preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics or his love for dishes made from ghee.

Chopra will be aiming to change the colour of the medal at the marquee event in Hungary after having won a silver medal in the prestigious competition last year. Before entering the arena, Chopra - in an interview with Jiocinema - threw a light on his preparations.

When asked about the pressure and expectations surrounding him at the World Championships, Neeraj admitted that he has become accustomed to handling pressure. While there is a sense of responsibility during these major competitions, he always gives his best and remains focused.

"I have somewhat become accustomed to handling pressure. However, when I participate in competitions that occur once every two to four years (like the World Championships and the Olympics), there is undoubtedly a sense of responsibility. But, I always give my hundred per cent and perform with complete focus. Initially, there were other factors which used to overwhelm me but gradually I have gotten used to it," he said.

Regarding his fitness level, Neeraj acknowledges that maintaining consistent fitness throughout the year can be challenging and may impact performance. However, after recovering from an injury earlier this year and participating in the Lausanne Diamond League where he performed well, he feels confident and satisfied with his current performance and training.

"Competing and being consistent at the highest level against the world's best athletes is definitely challenging. At the beginning of the year, I had prepared quite well, but then I got injured which led me to skip a few competitions. After that, I returned and participated in the Lausanne Diamond League, where my performance was good.

"Since then, everything has gotten better, and I am happy with my performance and training. For me, the most important thing is to be mentally prepared for the challenge knowing that the World Championships are approaching, and I want to perform well there."

Chopra further added, "I'm not carrying a specific throwing distance or medal target in my mind, but it's important that when I compete there - I don't want to have any fear of injury or anything else on my mind. I want to give it my best, and if that happens, I will come back better than before."

One burning question on everyone's mind is when Neeraj will breach the 90m mark in javelin throw. He expresses confidence that achieving this milestone is within reach and all he needs is one perfect day with favourable weather conditions. "Definitely, I'm close. I just need one perfect day with favourable weather conditions and I am confident I'll be able to achieve the throw," he said.

Despite being considered a top contender at the World Championships, Neeraj refrains from mentioning other challengers who have already crossed the 90m mark. He believes that focusing on oneself and giving their best is more important since these competitions are highly unpredictable.

Neeraj finds inspiration in athletes who recognise how much he inspires them as well. Coming from a small village himself, winning a gold medal for India shows others that they too can achieve greatness in athletics. He predicts that Indian performances at future Olympics and World Championships will only improve as new talent emerges on an international level.

When asked about his biggest inspiration, Neeraj mentions watching videos of world record holder Jan Železný during his early years. He emphasises the importance of self-motivation in individual sports like javelin throw.

"When I was young and was just starting out, I used to watch a lot of videos of world record holder Jan Železný. So, I believe that at one point, you must find motivation from within because you must wake up every day and work towards the target you've set. Self-motivation is crucial, especially in individual sports like ours, where everyone must perform on their own," he added.

In terms of handling pressure, Neeraj reveals that he doesn't undergo specific mental training. Instead, he remains completely focused on his regular training and occasionally engages in visualization exercises. Competing with international athletes in events like the Diamond League helps him avoid pressure and makes major competitions feel more familiar.

Looking ahead to the Olympics in Paris, Neeraj believes in taking things step by step and currently has his focus on the World Championships, followed by other upcoming competitions. He plans to undergo intensive training before returning to competitions after a season break.

Neeraj acknowledges that favourable weather conditions can lead to better performances but emphasizes the need for athletes to be prepared for any circumstances. Delivering their best regardless of external factors is crucial.

To replicate the success of previous Olympics, Neeraj stresses the importance of maintaining physical fitness, being mentally prepared, and addressing any technical issues or areas for improvement.

Regarding support from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), Neeraj congratulates AFI on its 75th anniversary and appreciates the significant support they provide. He hopes that India will host more international competitions in the future, allowing foreign athletes to compete here and uplifting athletics as a whole.