Johannes Vetter’s personal best is 97.76m while India ace Neeraj Chopra’s national record throw stands at 88.07m.
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German Johannes Vetter believes that Neeraj Chopra, who is his Indian competitor in men’s javelin throw enjoys an ability to throw far. However, the latter will find it difficult to get the better of him in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Vetter has breached the 90-metre mark seven times this year alone. The 2017 World Championships gold medallist will be eager to make his mark in the premier event. Chopra on the other hand, bettered his personal best to 88.07m this year and set a new national record at the third Indian Grand Prix in March. The 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games champion enjoys the ability to make his presence felt, but it will certainly be important to see the manner in which he goes about negotiating the nervousness involved.
“He (Chopra) threw good throws twice this year. Above 86m in Finland (86.79m at the Kuortane Games). If he is healthy and if he is in the right shape, especially in his technique, he can throw far,” said Vetter in a media interaction organised by World Athletics.
“But he has to fight with me. I am looking to throw over 90m in Tokyo, so it will be tough for him to beat me. We spoke a lot about javelin, family and other things. I am always interested in our cultures, our nations, how sport is going on in different countries and so on,” he added.
“Javelin throw is difficult, technique is very tough. Everything has to come together. The wind condition will have to be perfect, the surface will have to be perfect and the technique. You have to think over all angles, speed, etc. I know I am actually in very good shape, but I don’t want to put that much pressure on myself. I just want to enjoy such a high-level competition. I just want to see how far it will go and just relax. My first priority this year is the Olympic Games, not the record. But you never know,” concluded Vetter.
The German won gold at the Kuortane Games with a throw of 93.59m. Chopra on the other hand won bronze.
“My English is not that great but I did manage to speak something about the sport, the technique, our throws and all that,” Chopra stated.
The qualification round of men’s javelin throw will be held on August 4 at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo. The final will take place on August 7.
It was a mixed start to the Tokyo Olympics for the men’s archers from India. Their qualification event started a few hours after the women’s one, in which Deepika Kumari finished ninth. Pravin Jadhav sprung a minor surprise when he finished slightly ahead of Atanu Das, with Tarundeep Rai the lowest ranked in the Indians. But it is still a case of what could have been. Jadhav finished the event at 31st, with Das at 35th and Rai at 37th.
The result means it will be Jadhav who teams with Kumari in the mixed team event. Most expected Das, who is married to Kumari, to partner his wife in the event given he is the best ranked among all the male archers.
