Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin icon, sits quietly in Doha’s Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, his face calm despite the roar of the crowd. Moments ago, on May 16, 2025, the 27-year-old hurled a javelin 90.23 meters, shattering the elusive 90m barrier that had haunted him since 2018. “It’s not just my win—it’s India’s,” he says, his Haryanvi accent warm with pride. A double Olympic medalist, Chopra has carried a nation’s hopes, faced social media storms, and battled mental pressure. In this exclusive Q&A, he opens up about his historic throw, the weight of expectations, and his journey forward.
Q: You’ve finally crossed the 90m mark, a milestone fans have awaited for years. How does it feel to lift that burden? Chopra: It’s a relief, not just for me but for India.Fans have asked since 2018, and some even doubted I’d do it. I always believed 90m was close—I threw 89.94m in 2022! But it was never my only goal. Winning matters more than a number. On Friday, when the javelin landed at 90.23m, I felt calm, like a weight lifted. My coach, Jan Železný, told me, “You can throw 2-3m more.” That’s the fire now—to go further.
Q: Finishing second to Julian Weber’s 91.06m must sting. Was it bittersweet? Chopra: Bittersweet, yes. Julian’s my friend—we’ve both chased 90m. He hugged me after my throw, and I was happy for his 91.06m. I’ve come second before with big throws, like 89.94m in Stockholm. It’s not new. But this 90.23m in Doha, my first meet of 2025, sets the tone. I’m learning from Jan, tweaking my run-up, my release. It’s just the start.
Q: How do you handle the mental pressure of being India’s golden boy in a sport-mad nation? Chopra: Pressure is real. A billion people expect medals, and I feel it. But I focus on the pride of winning for India—it drowns out the noise. Jan’s mental tips help, like staying present, not overthinking the crowd or the mark. I’ve grown since Tokyo 2020, where I felt no pressure because no one expected gold. Now, with Paris silver and World Championship gold, I’m motivated, not burdened. Consistency is my strength—89m throws are routine now.
Q: Social media amplifies expectations and criticism, like the backlash over inviting Arshad Nadeem to your event. How do you cope? Chopra: Social media is a double-edged sword. It spreads love, but some use it to vent frustrations. After the Pahalgam attack, inviting Arshad to the Neeraj Chopra Classic sparked abuse—even my mother was targeted. I clarified the invite was pre-attack, but it hurt. I don’t let it sink in. I can quit social media in a heartbeat if it distracts me. During big meets, I go offline to stay focused. Fans’ support lifts me, but I don’t owe anyone my peace.
Q: Your subdued celebration after the 90m throw surprised fans. Why so calm? Chopra: I’m usually loud, but that moment felt different. It was relief, not just joy. I raised my arms, smiled, high-fived Julian and others. The crowd’s roar was enough. I knew India was celebrating—social media posts called me “undisputed king,” “national treasure.” That’s my fuel. Jan said, “This is just 90m,” so my mind was already on the next throw.
Q: You and Arshad Nadeem have transformed javelin, a European-dominated sport. Will this spark South Asian athletics growth? Chopra: It’s happening. Four Indians at Doha’s Diamond League this year—me, Kishore Jena, Parul Chaudhary, Avinash Sable—show progress. Arshad’s 92.97m Olympic gold pushed me; my 90.23m pushes others. Kids in Haryana villages now pick up javelins, inspired. I didn’t see this future five years ago, but now I’m ecstatic. Infrastructure, like Odisha’s stadiums, and corporate sponsors are changing the game.
Q: What’s next after this historic throw? Chopra: The World Championships, defending my gold, is the big test. I’m training in South Africa, refining technique with Jan. I want consistent 90 m-plus throws, maybe 93m, like Devendra Jhajharia predicted. Doha was step one. I’m 27—my peak is coming. For now, I’ll enjoy some churma at home, then back to work. India’s flag will fly higher. Chopra’s journey—from a Khandra village boy to the 25th man globally to throw 90m—resonates beyond sport. As Michael, a fan on social media, posts, “Neeraj’s not just an athlete; he’s our pride.” With the monkey off his back, Chopra’s gaze is forward, chasing new heights.
