Neeraj Chopra pleased with fitness, to consult doctors over nagging issue after Paris Olympics

Neeraj Chopra said he was pleased with his fitness levels despite tricky conditions at Turku, Finland for the Paavo Nurmi Games. The Indian javelin thrower was
kept out for a month by an adductor niggle
. With focus firmly on the Paris Games, the Olympic champion said he will consult with “different doctors”, to find a solution, only after the quadrennial extravaganza.

Chopra won his maiden gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games
on Tuesday with an effort of 85.97m, which came in his third attempt.

The 26-year-old had withdrawn from last month’s Ostrava Golden Spike as a precautionary measure after he “felt something in my adductor.”

“The weather was good today, a little bit cold with the wind. But I am happy with my adductor now because I could do all 6 throws,” Chopra said after the win.

“Every year I have some problems with my adductor, maybe after the Olympics I am going to talk to different doctors.”

Chopra expressed his desire to compete at more competitions this season – if his fitness provided.

He
began his season at the Doha Diamond League
in May, where he
finished second with a throw of 88.36m
, the ninth best mark of his career.

He then
participated at the National Federation Cup
Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, where he
secured the gold medal
with an underwhelming effort of 82.27m.

“Initially I wanted to compete more this season, but it was not possible due to my niggles,” he added.

After the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, Chopra is next scheduled to compete at the Paris Diamond League on 7 July.

The Indian will stay in Europe to train at three different venues alongside coach Klaus Bartonietz and physio Ishaan Marwaha ahead of the Paris Olympics.

The 26-year-old began his preparation in Kuortane in Finland. He will now head to to Saarbrucken in Germany.

After spending just over two weeks in Germany, Chopra will start the final stretch of his preparation at the Gloria Sports Arena in Turkey, where he will be located until 28 July.

“I came from Kuortane and will now head to Saarbrücken, Germany and maybe to Turkey just before the Olympics.

“Most of the time I train alone with my coach and physio, but from time to time we exchange with other coaches, like Jan Zelezny.

“I will try to stay healthy in the next weeks, because then I will throw my best throws,” he added.