Neeraj Chopra, last year, became the first Indian to win a track and field gold medal in the Olympics. The 24-year-old produced a best throw of 87.58m in Tokyo beating favourites Johannes Vetter of Germany, Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic and Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan. 

Chopra will now aim to win big for India in the upcoming Kuortane Game, World Championships and the Commonwealth Games. 

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However, he seemed unfazed by the fact that many of his opponents have recorded 90m plus throws. Reigning world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Tokyo Olympics silver winner Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic had come up with 93.07m and 90.88m throws respectively in the Doha Diamond League on May 13.

“I don’t take pressure of distance. Peters and Valdech must be working hard and so doing well. It is also my dream to cross 90m and will try to do that this year in some competition,” Chopra said at a virtual interaction from his training base in Turkey.

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Neeraj Chopra’s best is 88.07m. The star athelete said that going 90m straightaway is not on the list. 

“I don’t have to hit 90m straightway, 86 or 87m at the start of season will be fine,” he said. 

Chopra is also planning to feature in the top-flight Diamond League Meeting in Stockholm on June 30.

“My main target this year is to do well in World Championships. Then there is the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham (July 28 to August 8) where I will defend my gold (won in 2018 CWG).”

Chopra had earlier said that winning a medal in the World Championships will be his main target this year. 

“We will take a call after the CWG whether to take part in Monaco Diamond League or not, whether to go for (Diamond League) points or not.

Also read: Watch: Neeraj Chopra reverently folds Indian flag after victory lap

“We had planned earlier considering the Asian Games. As the Asian Games are postponed we may rework our plans.” Then, there is Diamond League Final in Zurich on September 7 and 8, if Chopra qualifies.

“My aim is also to end season injury free. I am starting 40-45 days before the World Championships so that I can peak there. I am going to have three events next month in the space of just over two weeks.