‘Everything is possible if I remain…’: Neeraj Chopra on defending Olympic and World titles | More sports News

NEW DELHI: Javelin throw sensation Neeraj Chopra is firmly dedicated to sustaining his dominance within the sport. The 25-year-old, who achieved the uncommon distinction of holding each the Olympic and World Championships titles, has declared his unwavering dedication to defend these prestigious crowns.
Neeraj Chopra’s exceptional feat of clinching gold on the Olympics after which securing the World Championships title in Budapest positioned him in an elite league of javelin throwers.
Wanting forward, he expressed his resolute intent to go away no stone unturned in his quest to retain these coveted titles. Chopra affirmed that he’ll go to nice lengths, sparing no effort, in his pursuit of success on the Paris Olympics within the coming 12 months and the World Championships scheduled for 2025.
Requested if he can emulate the legendary Czech Republic athlete Jan Zelezny, who received three Olympics and three World Championships titles, Chopra stated, “The whole lot is feasible if I stay motivated and focussed in my recreation.”
“My endeavour can be to defend my title (Mera koshish hai ki mujhe mera title phirse dohraana hai) and no matter arduous work I have to do to realize that, I’ll do.”
Earlier than Chopra, the enduring Zelezny and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway had held the Olympics and World Championships titles concurrently.

Zelezny, additionally Chopra’s idol, clinched the Olympics gold in 1992, 1996 and 2000 whereas successful World Championships titles in 1993, 1995 and 2001.
Thorkildsen received gold within the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 World Championships.
Chopra, nonetheless, admitted that it might be a giant problem to defend his Olympics gold in Paris.
“It was a giant problem to win the primary title (in Tokyo), and it will likely be a much bigger problem to do (defend) it once more as a result of all people will come ready. It is going to be extra anxious than the Tokyo Olympics as a result of there will likely be much more expectations than earlier than, though I’ve my expectations.
“However a very powerful factor is to save lots of myself from harm. I want to stay wholesome and injury-free in order that I can repeat all my titles.”
Chopra, who completed second within the Zurich Diamond League on Thursday, stated he was having a cough and sore throat earlier than the World Championships.
“I didn’t wish to say this earlier as a result of individuals might imagine it was an excuse. However I used to be having a cough and sore throat earlier than the qualification spherical. I used to be having issues. I’m nonetheless having issues in Zurich. I will likely be alright, an athlete’s life is like that.”
(With PTI inputs)