For Neeraj, consistency is key

Can The 23-Year-Old Javelin Thrower Give India That Elusive Track And Field Olympic Medal?

- Hindol Basu

A first look at Neeraj Chopra and one would feel he is a throwback rock star, with long, flapping hair and tall frame. He is, instead, a javelin thrower, a world-class one, and a prime medal hope for India at the Tokyo Olympics this time around.

The Tokyo Games will be Chopra’s first Olympics. It could have been his second but in 2016, just before the Rio Games, his

Olympic qualification mark strike came two weeks too late after the scheduled cut-off date: a 86.48m throw at the World under- 20 Championships in Poland.

“If I had thrown the same distance that I achieved in Poland, I would’ve won bronze at the Rio Olympics,” Neeraj said.

“I feel sad that I couldn’t participate in Rio because, ultimately, it’s the Olympics – the biggest event for an athlete. It comes once in every four years. This time it’s five. A lot of things change in four years. For a country, for people, for an athlete. Thankfully, this time I’ll be taking part.