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Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, is in peak physical condition and poised to secure a medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics, according to Spencer Mackay, head of strength and conditioning at the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS).Chopra, 26, underwent rehabilitation at IIS for an elbow injury prior to his historic Olympic gold medal victory in Tokyo 2021. Despite a recent adductor niggle, Mackay emphasizes that Chopra's past injuries are no longer a concern."He is in excellent physical condition and well-prepared," Mackay stated. "When the Olympic finals begin, Neeraj will be in a fantastic position to win another medal for the country."Chopra resumed competitions in June after a month-long break, claiming gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland. He also secured a gold medal at the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.Mackay highlights the importance of sports science and rehabilitation in modern athletic training. "India has a lot of scope to enhance the performance of their athletes," he said. "As long as the scope for sports training supplemented with sports science, development of coaches, the scope for India to massively increase the medal haul come the next Olympics games is going to be clear."IIS has become a hub for Indian athletes seeking injury recovery and rehabilitation. Mackay emphasizes the tailored approach to rehab programs based on individual athlete data and psychological factors."We also have in mind the psychological aspect of an athlete suffering a specific injury and the way he or she suffered it in mind," Mackay explained. "If we have more contact with them, we can do more based on the capability of the athlete and how much we have been able to expose him or her to development over time being a key component of the rehabilitation process during the injury situation."Chopra's absence from the Paris Diamond League on Sunday indicates his focus on the Olympics. Mackay remains confident in Chopra's abilities and the support provided by IIS. "We are happy to be in a situation where we have been able to affect athlete rehabilitation in a positive way and to see them returning back to the performance level they had before, is an incredibly rewarding position."

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has clarified that the Paris Diamond League on Sunday was never a part of his competition calendar this year. The statement came after a media report stated that Chopra pulled out of the event due to an adductor niggle that has been troubling him for the past couple of months.Chopra took to social media to clarify that there was no question of a withdrawal when he had not even entered his name for the event. "Hello, everyone. Just to clarify: the #ParisDL wasn't part of my competition calendar this season, so I haven't 'withdrawn' from it. I'm focusing on getting ready for the Olympic Games," Chopra posted.The 26-year-old was exempted from last week's National Inter-State Championships, which was a mandatory event for all Indian athletes, by the Athletics Federation Of India (AFI). The AFI said the relaxation was given to him due to the short turnaround time between the domestic event and the Diamond League on July 7.However, Chopra had indicated last month that his schedule would be decided according to the state of his body. "We had a discussion that I would play in the National Inter-State Championships (June 27-30) and it's going to be held in Panchkula in Haryana but it was very near to the Paris Olympics," Chopra had said."Since I was playing in Doha which is near to India. Moreover, there is Paris Diamond League (on July 7) between National Inter-State and Olympics. So, we decided to compete here (Federation Cup)," Chopra had said."Further competition schedule will be decided later according to situation and my body. Otherwise, I will go to Paris from there (after competing in Turku)."Chopra, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a track and field medal at the Tokyo Olympics, had won the gold at the at the Paavo Nurmi Games last month. Following this, he had opened up about his adductor niggle which has affected his season, saying he will consult "different doctors" after the Paris Olympics.

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.

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to make his competitive return at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday, June 14. The 26-year-old Indian superstar will be up against a stellar field, including German sensation Max Dehning, who is the youngest member of the coveted 90m club.Chopra, who is aiming to enter the 90m club himself, will also face competition from local favorite Oliver Helander, who defeated him in the 2022 edition of the Paavo Nurmi Games. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago will also be in the fray.Chopra was forced to withdraw from last month's Ostrava Golden Spike as a precautionary measure due to a niggle in his adductor muscles. He began his season at the Doha Diamond League in May, where he finished second with a throw of 88.36m.Despite the setback, Chopra remains confident in his preparations for the Paris Olympics in 2024. He has opted out of the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Panchkula to avoid a hectic schedule ahead of the Games."Further competition schedule will be decided later according to situation and my body. Otherwise, I will go to Paris from there (after competing in Turku)," Chopra said after the Federation Cup.Chopra's return to competitive action at the Paavo Nurmi Games will be a crucial test of his fitness and form as he builds up to the Paris Olympics. The Indian star will be hoping to continue his impressive run of success and cement his status as one of the world's best javelin throwers.

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and World Championships gold medalist, is set to compete in his third competition of the season at the Ostrava Golden Spike athletics meet in Czechia on May 28. This World Athletics Continental Tour Gold label event marks the 63rd edition of the prestigious competition.Chopra's season began with a second-place finish at the Doha Diamond League on May 11, where he threw 88.36 meters, just shy of the winner, Jakub Vadlejch. Despite battling fatigue at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar, Chopra secured a gold medal with a throw of 82.27 meters.At Ostrava, Chopra will face a formidable lineup in the men's javelin throw, including Vadlejch, the home favorite, and Anderson Peters of Grenada, a former World Champion. Peters finished third behind Vadlejch and Chopra in Doha.Chopra was scheduled to compete in Ostrava last year but withdrew due to a muscle injury. Vadlejch won the title with a throw of 81.93 meters.In addition to Chopra, Vadlejch, and Peters, the Ostrava meet will feature other global stars such as Marcell Jacobs of Italy, the reigning Olympic 100m champion, Gianmarco Tamberi, the Olympic co-champion in men's high jump, and Mondo Duplantis of Sweden, the world record holder and Olympic gold medalist in pole vault.After Ostrava, Chopra is expected to remain in Europe for the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on June 18. This Continental Tour Gold event is a top-tier World Athletics competition. In 2022, Chopra won a silver medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games with a throw of 89.30 meters, his personal best at the time. He later broke his own record with a throw of 89.94 meters at the Stockholm leg of the Diamond League, which remains his national record.Chopra's participation in these competitions is part of his preparation for the Paris Olympics 2024, scheduled for July 26 to August 11.

Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra has set his sights firmly on the Paris Olympic Games, scheduled to commence on July 26 in France. Competing in his first domestic competition since his historic gold medal triumph at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Chopra showcased his dominance by securing the gold medal with a throw of 82.27m."Winning an Olympic gold medal is far more glorious than breaking the 90m barrier," Chopra asserted. "I will undoubtedly break that barrier, but my primary focus right now is to make a significant impact at the Paris Games."Chopra acknowledged that he had anticipated a strong challenge from Manu DP, but DP's rhythm faltered, preventing him from surpassing the 85m mark. Manu DP of Karnataka finished second, while Uttam Patil of Maharashtra claimed third place with a throw of 78.39m.Asian Games medalist Kishore Kumar Jena finished fifth with a throw of 75.49m, while Shivpal Singh, another prominent thrower, was eliminated in the preliminary round. Only the top eight athletes advanced to the medal round.Chopra commenced his 2024 season with a second-place finish (88.36m) at the Doha Diamond League. Following his domestic competition in Bhubaneswar, he plans to compete in Europe as part of his preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.He has meticulously planned his Olympic preparations, including competitions in Ostrava (Czech Republic) on May 28 and Turku (Finland) in June. After these events, he will evaluate his fitness and make further decisions. "I will assess how my body and mind respond to these high-quality competitions and then make a call," he explained.Chopra's personal best and national record of 89.94m was set in 2022. The champion thrower expressed his confidence in breaking the 90m barrier on a good day. "I prefer to prioritize winning over distance," he emphasized.As the "golden boy" of Indian track and field, Chopra was thrilled to witness the enthusiasm of young fans at Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium. "I'm excited to see so many supporters at the stadium," he remarked.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra made a triumphant return to Indian soil, claiming the gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the Federation Cup in Patiala. Despite a slow start, Chopra's spear soared through the evening sky, securing him victory in his first competitive outing in India in three years.The 26-year-old superstar initially struggled to find his rhythm, trailing in second place after the first three rounds. However, in the fourth round, he unleashed a mighty throw of 82.27m, taking the lead. With DP Manu, his closest rival, having completed his final throw, Chopra opted to skip the final round, confident in his lead.Chopra's last domestic competition was at the same event in 2021, where he won gold with a throw of 87.80m. Since then, he has achieved remarkable success on the international stage, including a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the Diamond League title in 2022, and the world championship in 2023. He also successfully defended his Asian Games gold in China.Despite his impressive achievements, Chopra is yet to surpass the 90m mark. His personal best and national record stands at 89.94m. However, his performance at the Federation Cup demonstrates his continued dominance in the sport and his unwavering determination to reach even greater heights.

Star Indian javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena have been granted direct entry into the Federation Cup finals in Bhubaneswar on May 15th. This decision was made as both athletes have consistently surpassed the minimum qualification mark of 75m throughout their careers.Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, recently finished second at the Doha Diamond League with an impressive throw of 88.38m. Jena, the Asian Games silver medalist, made his Diamond League debut but was eliminated after three rounds with a best throw of 76.31m.DP Manu, who placed sixth at the 2023 World Championships, will also compete directly in the finals. He aims to qualify for the Paris Olympics by achieving a mark of 85.50m.According to Indian athletics head coach Radhakrishnan Nair, "All those who have crossed 75m will not compete in the qualifying round on Tuesday. There are nine of them from among those who had made entries, including Neeraj and Jena. They will directly compete in the final on Wednesday."The remaining athletes with marks below 75m will participate in the qualifying round, with the top three joining the nine above-75m throwers in the final.The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is eagerly anticipating Chopra's first competitive outing in India in three years. "The AFI is not at all surprised at Neeraj taking part in the Federation Cup. His participation in domestic events is undoubtedly a positive development for Indian athletics," stated a senior AFI official.Chopra has reportedly arrived in India from Doha but will only arrive in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. Jena, the Asian Games medalist, is expected to arrive later on Monday.Nair downplayed the injury sustained by men's 4x400m relay squad member Rajesh Ramesh, who withdrew during the second leg of the first round qualifying heat in the Bahamas earlier this month. Ramesh was replaced by Arokia Rajiv, who was also not fully fit, in the second round of the Olympic qualifying heat, and the Indian team secured a Paris ticket."Ramesh's injury is not a hamstring pull, it's related to a tendon in the thigh. So, it is not a major injury. He is expected to start training in 10-15 days. Rajiv will also be alright soon," Nair said. "There should not be any problem in Olympics preparation."A total of 19 track and field athletes have qualified for Paris, and Nair announced that the team will train in Spala, Poland, for four weeks before traveling to Paris for the Olympics. Track and field events commence on August 1st."The team will train in Spala before Olympics and we will reach Paris three or four days before the competition starts," he said.The AFI remains hopeful of the mixed 4x400m relay team's Paris qualification despite its failure in the Bahamas during the World Relays. Only two slots remain available."Our mixed 4x400m team will take part in the Asian Relays (May 20-21 in Bangkok) and we can qualify for Paris if we run below 3 minutes 14 seconds, and we feel we can do that," Nair added.The AFI is reportedly preparing a strategic plan with the goal of winning multiple medals in the 2036 Olympics, regardless of whether India wins the right to host the Games.