Free of pain, full of aim: Neeraj gears up for Doha

AS HE SWITCHED between exuding charm and showcasing diplomacy — drawing chuckles as he sheepishly narrated his awkwardness on ad-shoot sets and deftly handling the Arshad Nadeem bouncer hurled at him — only one thing Neeraj Chopra declared mattered: that, for the first time in months, he was fully fit.

- MIHIR VASAVDA

"(Earlier) I had some problems in my groin," Chopra said in Doha ahead of the Diamond League curtain-raiser for men's javelin throw. "This time, I never missed any (throwing) session. So, I feel very confident."

To understand how big a deal this — not missing a throwing session — is for Chopra, it is important to go nine months back in time. Moments after winning the Paris Olympics silver medal last August, he was concerned that the persisting groin injury did not allow him to explore his full range. "I haven't been able to throw from the full runway. Maximum athletes will have 40-50 throws in one session. With me, who knows, maybe in two or three weeks, I'll have one session. I have the fear of getting injured," an anguished Chopra had said.

Fast forward to Thursday — the eve of his first major competition this year — there were no creases on an injury-free Chopra's forehead. "I feel really good. The last throwing sessions were really great. I am ready," he said. "I am very excited to open my season in Doha."