Neeraj Chopra: ‘I always think about producing my best in the worst conditions’ – ahead of the Commonwealth Games

When you ask Neeraj Chopra about the 90‑metre barrier, he doesn’t light up like a kid with a new toy. The two‑time Olympic medalist smiles, shrugs and says he’s not obsessed with chasing that magical distance every time he steps onto the runway.

“No, I don’t feel that pressure,” he told PTI. “My goal is always to improve, sure, but in a major championship the real challenge is to win gold against the world’s best. The distance is secondary.”

That philosophy has been put to the test. Last year in Doha’s Diamond League, Chopra finally cracked the coveted 90.23 metre mark – a personal best that erased years of speculation. Still, he admits the target remains a work‑in‑progress. “I definitely want to improve my throw,” he says, eyes bright with the same hunger that drove him to Gold Coast in 2018.

And now the Commonwealth Games are back on his radar, eight years after he won his first senior gold on the same stage. The twist? Forecasts of rain and gusty winds that could turn the stadium into a battlefield.

“I was doing some training throws yesterday. The conditions are tough, but they’re the same for everyone,” Chopra notes. “No matter how bad it gets, we have to stay mentally strong. I always think about how to produce the absolute best throw in the worst conditions.”

He’s already tweaking his routine, focusing on fitness and polishing off the little weaknesses that crept up after his injury‑forced absence from Birmingham 2022. “The first competition after recovery in Doha went well. I feel much better now,” he adds, a quiet confidence in his tone.

The competition field, he says, is “quite tough.” South Asian rivals like Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage have been trading podium spots on the Diamond League circuit, raising the bar for everyone. “When the competition is tough, we push each other more. That’s a good thing,” Chopra remarks.

For Chopra, the mental battle will be as pivotal as the physical one. He plans to step into the ring on July 30 for the men’s javelin qualification, hoping to translate his preparation into a throw that feels right, even if the wind is blowing sideways.

“Representing the country at big Games is always special,” he says, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. “I have very good memories of the Commonwealth Games. It was my first senior competition and I won gold. Eight years later, I’m back, feeling good, and ready to give my all.”