Neeraj Chopra Reveals Main Rival, Sets New 90m Goal Ahead of Diamond League Final

Neeraj Chopra sets sights on consistency beyond 90m, names Julian Weber as top rival ahead of Diamond League final.

Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra appeared composed as he addressed the media on the eve of the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Switzerland, sharing insights on his goals, technique, and key competitors. Joining him was double Olympic discus champion Valarie Allman.

Chopra, who surpassed the 90m mark earlier this year in Doha with a throw of 90.23m, acknowledged that reaching the milestone was a relief but stressed that his focus has now shifted to consistently throwing beyond 90m. Despite his personal best, he had to settle for second place behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who threw 91.06m.

“Yes, I was waiting so long for 90m. I am very happy that people are no longer asking this question. Now, it’s over,” Neeraj said, reflecting on his achievement.

Technique Under Jan Zelezny

Chopra credited his ongoing improvements to guidance from legendary three-time Olympic champion Jan Zelezny, emphasizing minor adjustments to his left-leg position at release and his block to maximise speed.

“In Doha, the throw was good, but my technique wasn’t perfect. With a straighter left leg and the right block, I can throw even better,” he said. He also noted that weather conditions in Zurich, with rain forecast, could impact performance but insisted on staying mentally focused.

Learning to Handle Pressure

Neeraj praised Zelezny for teaching him how to handle pressure and maintain consistency. “Jan always said ‘technique is my biggest weapon’. I try to understand and follow his guidance. I’m still improving technically and learning a lot from him,” he said.

Biggest Rival and Competition Outlook

Reflecting on rivals, Chopra named Julian Weber as his main competitor this season, citing Weber’s 91m throw in Doha and 89m in Brussels. He acknowledged their friendly rivalry:

“He is doing really well, and I feel good competing with him.”

The Indian javelin star, who skipped earlier Diamond League meets in Silesia and Brussels to conserve energy, enters Thursday’s Zurich finale refreshed, with an eye on the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo.

Chopra will face a strong seven-man field, including Weber, former world champion Anderson Peters, and Olympic medallists Julius Yego and Keshorn Walcott, while Arshad Nadeem will not compete in the Diamond League this week.

Neeraj’s focus remains on refining his technique, maintaining consistency, and pushing past the 90m mark as he aims for top honours in Zurich.