“I would like to throw javelin with Brett Lee, Bumrah”

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra spoke about his admiration for Brett Lee, Bumrah, and Sachin, shared advice from coach Železný, and revealed how Federer’s grace influences his approach to javelin

Hyderabad: Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Neeraj Chopra said that he had heard Brett Lee was a javelin thrower.

“I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years. I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too, and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah,” Neeraj said in an exclusive chat with Jio Hotstar.

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“Sachin Tendulkar is one I admire the most. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally — I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,” Neeraj said.

On being superstitious, Neeraj said, “I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don’t think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.”

On the best advice he has received, both on and off the field, Neeraj said it came from his coach Jan Železný, who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 98.48 metres.

“Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he tells me that I need to run in a flow. It shouldn’t feel tight — I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I’m slowly understanding the concept of flow. I think that in any sport, flow is very important,” he said.

“For example, Roger Federer — he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I’m trying to bring that into my training,” Neeraj said.

On a cricket shot that resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and technique, Neeraj was quick to respond, saying: the helicopter shot by MS Dhoni.