We need more Indian athletes at top events: Neeraj Chopra

‘We need more Indian athletes at top events,’ says Neeraj Chopra

By Team ISN September 9, 2022

Neeraj Chopra urged the national federation and other stakeholders to encourage more track and field athletes to compete in international events and against world-class competition, so that he does not remain the only Indian competing in international events.

Chopra, the World Championships silver medalist, capped his outstanding season by winning the Wanda Diamond League Final in Zurich on Thursday evening, becoming the first Indian to do so.

Olympic silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch took an early lead, throwing 84.15m and 86.00m in the first two rounds, as Chopra fouled his first attempt. Chopra, on the other hand, threw his spear 88.84m in round two to take the lead.

Following that, the 23-year-old from Panipat, Haryana, threw 88.00m and 86.11m, while Vadlejch improved to 86.94m in round four.

Chopra stayed in the same range and had an 87.00m effort on his penultimate round, but his throw of 88.84 was enough to win the championship.

Though he was pleased with his performance and pleased to become the first Indian to win the Diamond Trophy, Chopra expressed a desire for more Indian athletes to compete in top international events.

“It is quite unusual that despite Indian athletes doing well in the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships, I was the only Indian competing in Zurich. I see other countries have a team of athletes competing in various disciplines and I want India too should send a big contingent for such events,” Neeraj said on Friday during a virtual interaction from Zurich facilitated by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

“I feel that more Indian athletes should participate in international events, they are doing well currently and are getting to participate in a lot of domestic events. I would urge the AFI, SAI, and ministry to encourage more Indians to participate in international competitions. We need more Indians to compete against top athletes, the world-class competitions so that we can do better in events like Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games,” said Chopra.