Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn from the upcoming Paris Diamond League due to a persistent adductor niggle. The injury has been bothering Chopra for the past few months, and he has decided to prioritize his training and recovery.
In an interview with ESPN, Chopra explained that he is focusing on strengthening his blocking leg, which is crucial for transferring the momentum from his run-up to his throwing arm. He said, "I need to strengthen my blocking leg when I throw because that's when my groin gets pulled. We're working on that to see how we can reduce the impact on the groin and control the pressure on it."
Chopra admitted that he could have competed in more events, but he realized that his health is paramount. He said, "I could have competed in more events for sure and that was the plan. But I have realized that my health is paramount, that comes first. Even if I feel the slightest discomfort or like I am pushing myself too much in training, I've learnt to pause for a bit."
The block phase is a critical maneuver in javelin throwing, as it is the point at which the pace generated by the run-up is transferred to the hip and then to the throwing arm. Chopra said that he has become wiser over the years and no longer puts himself at risk to fulfill commitments like he used to do before his Olympic gold.
"Back then, if I had an entry in a competition, I would definitely go and compete no matter what happened. But now with more experience, I am better placed to make correct decisions," he said.
Chopra expressed satisfaction with his performance at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, where he topped the field with a throw of 85.97m. However, he acknowledged that there was room for improvement. "I was happy with my performance in Turku, but I felt there was more work to do. I was slow on the runway compared to my normal speed. I want that speed back and for that, I need proper confidence that I am fully fit and that my groin is fit. I want to feel confident when I run on the runway," he said.
Chopra's decision to withdraw from the Paris Diamond League is a precautionary measure to ensure that he is fully fit for the upcoming Paris Olympics. He is expected to consult with different doctors after the Games to address the adductor niggle.
Tags: #NeerajChopra, #JavelinThrow, #ParisDiamondLeague, #Injury, #AdductorNiggle
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