After recently winning at both the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra is back in India, gearing up for a significant event in his life - the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025. This special javelin-only competition, named after him, is set for Saturday, July 5, at 7 pm, where Neeraj will be the star of the show.
As the date approached, he took some time off from his training to chat with JioStar, the official broadcasters.
In a laid-back and enlightening talk, Neeraj shared some of his sporting inspirations and expressed admiration for other athletes. When asked about which cricketer he thought could have been a great javelin thrower, he mentioned Brett Lee, the former Australian bowler. "I've heard Brett Lee was once a javelin thrower. He had the speed and power, especially in his prime years," Neeraj explained. Additionally, he expressed a desire to train with Jasprit Bumrah, saying, "It would be fun to try javelin with Bumrah. Maybe he can teach me some bowling skills."
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Image: News18
Neeraj also mentioned that he's interested in trying out baseball pitching someday. When asked which cricketer's "superpower" he'd like to have, he picked Sachin Tendulkar for his calm demeanour and knack for handling tough situations. He said, "I'd love to have a mindset like his to face challenges without stress, just like he did against the top bowlers."
On competition days, Neeraj aims to keep his cool. He shared, "I try not to overthink things. I make sure to rest, eat well, and stay relaxed," when discussing his pre-event routine. He fondly recalled his coach, Jan Železný, giving him the advice to run with the carefree energy of a teenager, saying he should move like an 18-year-old without any tension.
He draws inspiration from tennis player Roger Federer, admiring how effortlessly he moves. Neeraj said, "He never seems to struggle, and I'm working on that rhythm." As the Neeraj Chopra Classic approaches, he focuses on more than just distance; he also concentrates on his style and flow.
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