Another target, though he hasn’t been too vocal about it, is the elusive 90m mark. “Hopefully this season,” Neeraj kept repeating during interactions before the Olympics. After securing silver in Paris, he revealed that he had been battling the adductor issue for some time. This had caused him to miss many important pre-Olympic international competitions, sometimes even after entering his name.
On Saturday, after his final throw of the season, Neeraj revealed that he had been competing with yet another injury — this time a fractured left hand. His throws were far from his best. Apart from the 87.86m, which was just 0.01m short of Anderson Peters, he appeared subdued. “Played through pain,” he admitted in a post on X. His team acknowledged that Neeraj was taking a risk, but perhaps he didn’t want to disappoint the organisers.
“Informing the organisers would be the toughest part,” Neeraj had said after winning silver in Paris. “I don’t mind throwing less, honestly. I think a lot about withdrawing due to injury. I would have already made the entry and would think that if I did not go, people would say that I always do that. Personally, I want to compete as much as possible… And when it doesn’t happen, I feel very sad. Then you tell your team — chalo ek acha sa message banate hai — sorry, nahi khel payenge…”
Though the season didn’t end the way Neeraj would have liked, he is happy with his growth as a person. This season presented many challenges, one of which was coming from behind. Neeraj usually likes to throw his best in the first two or three attempts, but in Lausanne, he had to rely on his penultimate throw to secure second place. Both his team and Neeraj agree that 2024 has been a season of learning.
“While I couldn’t meet my own expectations, I feel this was a season in which I learned a lot. I am now determined to return, fully fit and ready to go,” he shared in his post.
Neeraj will now take a break and consult doctors regarding his adductor issue. He and his team haven’t yet decided on a course of action, but surgery could be on the cards. With the World Athletics Championships scheduled for September next year at the Tokyo National Stadium, Neeraj has ample time. As he said after the Olympics, “andar abhi bhi bahut throw baki hai” (I still have many throws left in me). A fit Neeraj will be determined to break the 90m mark, and next season could very well be the one.
Neeraj Chopra’s Performances in 2024:
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Doha Diamond League – May 10: 88.36m
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Paavo Nurmi Games – Jun 18: 85.97m
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Paris Olympics – Aug 8: 89.45m
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Lausanne Diamond League – Aug 22: 89.49m
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Brussels Diamond League – Sep 14: 87.86m
(The Paavo Nurmi Games were the only event where Neeraj finished first this year.)
