 "Neeraj Chopra wants Sachin Tendulkar's 'superpower' for throwing javelin: 'He represented our country so well'")
India’s Olympic hero Neeraj Chopra has said that he wants cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s “superpower” for throwing the javelin. Chopra wished to have the ability to stay calm and overcome challenges with confidence, just as Tendulkar did in his playing days. He said this mindset would help him during tough competitions.
Chopra’s comment came during a TV interaction ahead of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, an athletics event named after the two-time Olympic medallist. When asked which cricketer’s “superpower” he would like to have, the Haryana star named Tendulkar without any hesitation.
“Sachin Tendulkar. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally. I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,” Chopra said during an interview with Star Sports.
The 27-year-old is currently training under Jan Zelezny, the Czech legend who holds the world record in javelin (98.48m). Chopra shared Zelezny’s best advice to him so far and how it has helped in competitions.
“Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he (Zelezny) tells me I need to run in a flow. It shouldn’t feel tight - I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I’m slowly understanding the concept of flow,” Chopra said.
Neeraj Chopra recently registered his first-ever 90m throw. He achieved the feat at the Doha Diamond League. Despite his brilliant effort, Chopra lost the title to Julian Weber, who also managed his first-ever 90m-plus throw in the final round to snatch the victory. Chopra defeated Weber in the Paris Diamond League a few days later.
Chopra then won the Ostrava Golden Spike Meet to go on top of the World Athletics rankings. He will next be seen in action at the Neeraj Chopra Classic. The NC Classic is scheduled to be held in Bengaluru on 5th July.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsChopra names cricketer who can throw javelin
Asked which cricketer he thinks would be able to throw the javelin, Chopra said, “I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years.
“I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.”
Asked whether he’s superstitious, Chopra said, “I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don’t think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.”
(With agency inputs)
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