Neeraj Chopra eyes bigger returns after Olympic silver

Chopra built on his breakout success in Tokyo by winning world championship gold last year, but missed a few competitions due to a groin injury.

But the well-built star, who hails from the northern Indian state of Haryana – a nursery of athletes including Olympic wrestlers and boxers, remains confident of future success.

“I believed that I could cover more distance,” Chopra said on his mindset after Nadeem’s monster throw in Paris.

But Chopra said he will not set himself targets of 90 metres and more.

“I leave this to God. Just prepare well, and give it a rip, the javelin will travel,” he said.

Chopra became a national hero after his Tokyo gold, earning million-dollar endorsement deals with his boyish charm, changing hairstyles and an infectious smile.

However, Pakistan’s Nadeem shot to overnight stardom after his throw gave his nation their first individual Olympic gold. Nadeem’s father-in-law gifted him a buffalo for the Olympic feat. But Chopra isn’t surprised, saying he had been given a large container of ghee, or clarified butter.

“In Indian villages… gifts such as buffaloes, motorbikes and tractors are common,” he said.