India’s ‘Golden Boy’ and one of the top medal contenders at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, Neeraj Chopra has been struggling with some niggle to his adductor off late. However, he continues to prepare for the Summer Games, set to get underway from July 26 in Paris, his German coach Klaus Bartonietz has shared a big update on the Indian athlete’s fitness.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with PTI, Klaus assured that Neeraj’s adductor “is fine”, putting rest to his physical condition. He also added that the 26-year-old has entered crucial high-intensity training phase. “Everything is according to plan. At the moment, no issue with that (adductor niggle), it’s fine, it looks good, hoping to remain like that till the Olympics,” he said.
“It’s just over two weeks left in the Olympics, so the intensity of training is high. He is having full throwing sessions,” Klaus Bartonietz further added, stating that he currently continues to train in Turkiye.
Neeraj Chopra to take field at Pris 202 on August 6
The 26-year-old Indian athlete, who pulled out of the Ostrava Golden Spike on May 28 citing “precautionary measure” after feeling discomfort in his adductor muscles. However, the Indian made his stunning return at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland in June, claiming his maiden gold with a throw of 85.97m throw.
Chopra, who then hogged the limelight for pulling out of the Paris Diamond League, early in July, later clarified that the tournament wasn’t a part of his calendar. However, the Tokyo Olympics gold medallist is set to take the field on August 6 at the qualification round of the men’s javelin throw in Paris Olympics 2024.
Adding to Chopra’s preparation for the quadrennial games, his German coach added, “Yes. Generally, javelin throw is all about it (having fast runway and blocking well). It’s very hard to throw far with poor runway. More the energy you bring with that, the better it is.”