Doha, June 18: Despite becoming the first Indian javelin thrower to breach the 90-metre mark, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has said his landmark throw in Doha was technically flawed and believes there is scope for even greater distances if he improves key aspects of his technique.
Speaking during the Wanda Diamond League media interaction in Doha on Thursday, Chopra reflected on the record-breaking throw that brought him global attention but revealed that he rarely watches footage of the effort. Instead, he prefers reviewing his qualification-round performances, which he considers technically superior and more representative of the rhythm he aims to achieve.
The reigning world champion said his 90m-plus throw was driven largely by arm speed and lacked the optimal contribution from his lower body. According to Chopra, improvements in lower-body mechanics could potentially add further distance to his throws.
“Technically, the throw was not that good; it was really fast from the arm, but if I could do better with the lower body, maybe 2–3m more,” Chopra said during the interaction.
The 27-year-old athlete explained that qualification rounds often bring out his best technical performances because he remains relaxed and focused on execution. In contrast, he acknowledged that finals frequently lead him to adopt a more aggressive approach, which can affect his technique.
Chopra said he rarely revisits videos of his final-round performances and instead studies qualification throws from major competitions such as the Olympics and World Championships. He believes those attempts provide a clearer blueprint for future improvement and consistency.
Reflecting on last year’s competition in Doha, Chopra described the event as one of the most memorable moments of his career. The meet not only produced his first throw beyond 90 metres but also featured an intense contest with Germany’s Julian Weber.
Chopra recalled that shortly after his milestone effort, Weber surpassed his mark. However, he said he was pleased to see the German athlete achieve his own breakthrough after years of striving for similar success.
He noted that Weber had thrown beyond 88 metres as far back as 2016 and had also experienced a long journey towards achieving greater distances. Chopra said he respected that perseverance and was genuinely happy for his rival’s achievement.
As he prepares to begin another season in Doha, Chopra remains focused on technical refinement rather than past accomplishments. While the 90-metre barrier has already been crossed, the Indian star believes further progress lies in perfecting the finer details of his technique and translating them consistently into competition.
