Asian Games: Neeraj Chopra contemplates defending title to close season in perfect fashion | undefined news

NEW DELHI: Neeraj Chopra is eager to close his successful 2023 season by repeating his experience in Jakarta Asian show five years ago. The reigning Olympic and world champion will begin his title defense in the men’s javelin throw competition next Hangzhou Games on October 4th.
The Indian ace, who had set a new national record with a massive throw of 88.06m to finish on top of the podium in Jakarta, is set for another gold medal in the tournament. Hangzhou Sports Stadium, with athletics competitions starting September 29.
The Asiad will be Neeraj’s last major competition this year. He will lead a 68-member athletics team, 35 men and 33 women, India’s largest contingent for any sport in Hangzhou.
Neeraj has been on a roll this season, having bagged the coveted world title as well as winning the Doha and Lausanne stages of the championship. Diamond League series. She suffered a rare setback late last week when she lost her Eugene Diamond League Final crowns Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic.

“I still have one more competition left, the Asian Games in China. In big competitions, I think it’s about mentality; In big competitions we don’t need to prepare. When we enter the stadium, our mind is prepared and the body is also prepared for the competition. “I really like competing with these guys, they are all good friends and we are all competing in a very good way.” Neeraj he had said after his second-place finish in Eugene.
Neeraj, who boasts of a huge personal best of 89.94m, has a best throw of 88.67m, achieved in Doha this year. She is expected to face tough competition from his arch-rival Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan.who at the World Championships in Budapest finished second behind Neeraj with a throw of 87.82 m.
While Neeraj has failed to clear the much-talked-about 90m mark, Nadeem surpassed the barrier with a throw of 90.18m to secure gold at the CWG in Birmingham last year. The Indian plans to renew his rivalry with Nadeem at the Asiad and has recognized that the weight of fans’ expectations of a repeat show in Hangzhou would intensify the pressure.
“I met with Nadeem after the event and we are happy that our two countries are making great strides in the sporting arena. We are also happy that we have prevailed over our European counterparts, who are stronger and very competitive. The rivalry between our two nations “Sports will always be there. We will meet again in Hangzhou,” Neeraj said.
Giving the two some serious competition would be India’s promising javelin thrower. Kishore Jenawho exceeded expectations at the World Championships in Budapest with a throw of 84.77 to finish in a creditable fifth place.