Still, Neeraj isn’t complaining. He is happy with his show at Eugene but determined to change the color of the medal next time.
Excerpts from his virtual interaction:
A gold escaped you…
The thirst for gold will continue in me. But I have to believe that we can’t get gold every time. I will do what is in my control… concentrate and focus on my training. Even though the conditions weren’t good and the wind speed was too high, I was convinced that I was going to perform well. I am satisfied with the result. I will seek to win the gold in Diamond Leagues and, of course, the world championships.
Were you under pressure after your first three attempts?
I didn’t feel any pressure from being an Olympic champion. I believed in myself even after the third throw. I made a comeback and won the money, it felt good.
2022 World Athletics Championships: Neeraj Chopra wins silver medal with a throw of 88.13 meters
You had strapping on your thigh… Any injury concerns going to the CWG?
I thought even the fourth pitch could have gone further. After that I felt something on my thigh and couldn’t do my best in the next two. I will know the status tomorrow morning as my body is still hot after the event. Hopefully there won’t be any injury issues for the CWG.
It’s great to have won the silver medal at the World Championships: Neeraj Chopra
Arshad Nadim from Pakistan (who finished fifth) did pretty well… Did you two speak after the final?
I spoke to him after the event and told him he performed very well. He said “I had a problem with my elbow”. He wasn’t well at first, so when we finished I told him he did a good job and made a good comeback.
2022 World Championships in Athletics: Watch Neeraj Chopra’s fourth-round throw that won him silver