Neeraj Chopra on breaching 90m mark: India's burden

19-May-2025

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The 90m burden is off India's back, said star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on May 16 at the Doha Diamond League. 

Reacting to his best-ever throw, which landed at 90.23m at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Neeraj said he never felt personal pressure to achieve the feat, but it felt like the monkey was off India’s - and Indian fans’ back, many of whom believed he might never hit the magic figure.

"I always thought that 90m was within reach. I had thrown 88-plus a couple of times. Coach Jan Zelezny was with me - he kept saying it would happen today and that I could do better than this. I started training with him in February, worked on my technique, and it's changing. It will take some time. A lot of people had this question - whether I’d be able to throw 90m or not - since I hadn’t done it despite competing since 2018. I had broken 88–89m before but not 90m. But finally, not just for me, but at least for Indians, the burden has reduced. I feel I can do even better," Neeraj told Revsportz in an interview after the event.