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Neeraj Chopra, India's reigning Olympic javelin throw champion, is in the final stages of his preparations for the Paris Games, and his coach, Klaus Bartonietz, has dismissed concerns about his fitness.Chopra has been troubled by an adductor niggle in recent months, but Bartonietz insists that the issue is now resolved. "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," Bartonietz told PTI.The 26-year-old Chopra has had a mixed season in terms of fitness, withdrawing from the Ostrava Golden Spike in May as a precautionary measure. However, he made a strong comeback by winning gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland in June with a throw of 85.97m.Chopra opted out of the Paris Diamond League on July 7, but Bartonietz said that the event was never a part of his competition calendar this year.With just two weeks to go until the Olympic qualification round, Chopra is intensifying his training. "It's just over two weeks left in the Olympics, so the intensity of training is high. He is having full throwing sessions," Bartonietz said.Chopra's training routine includes sprinting, jumping, throwing, and weightlifting sessions. Bartonietz said that the approach is similar to the one adopted before the Tokyo Olympics.Chopra has competed in only three events ahead of the Paris Games, compared to five before Tokyo. Bartonietz does not see this as a disadvantage, saying that the number of competitions is not a determining factor."You can compete in many events or not, it's tough to say what is enough (number of events). It depends on the situation," Bartonietz said.Bartonietz also addressed Chopra's decision to skip the Paris Diamond League, saying that there were "some minor issues" that made it not worth the risk.While Bartonietz is confident in Chopra's abilities, he is cautious about predicting his chances of a medal. "Olympics is a high-stakes and high-pressure situation and anything can happen. Guessing a medal on the basis of statistics is difficult," he said.Bartonietz identified Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, Julian Weber of Germany, Anderson Peters of Grenada, and Oliver Helander of Finland as potential medal contenders.The Olympic Stadium in Paris will have purple-colored Mondo tracks, which are believed to provide faster timings. Bartonietz said that this could benefit Chopra, but it is ultimately a matter of using the speed effectively.

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.

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been battling an adductor niggle that has hampered his season. After winning his first gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games, Chopra expressed his intention to consult multiple doctors after the Paris Olympics to address the persistent issue.Chopra's adductor niggle has been a recurring problem, affecting him every year. Despite the discomfort, he managed to secure a gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games with a throw of 85.97m. However, he acknowledged that he could not compete as much as he would have liked this season due to the niggle.Despite the setback, Chopra remains determined to compete in more competitions this season. He will next participate in the Paris Diamond League on July 7. In preparation for the Paris Olympics, Chopra will train in three different European venues with his coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha.Chopra's training regimen includes stints in Kuortane, Finland; Saarbrucken, Germany; and Gloria Sports Arena, Turkey. He emphasizes the importance of staying healthy in the lead-up to the Olympics, as he believes it will enable him to perform at his best.Chopra's journey to the Paris Olympics has been marked by both triumphs and challenges. Despite the adductor niggle, he remains focused on his goal of achieving success at the highest level. His determination and resilience are a testament to his unwavering spirit and commitment to the sport.