More 90m throws to come this season: Neeraj Chopra
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Doha (PTI): It was a "bittersweet" outing for Neeraj Chopra at the Doha Diamond League as he finally breached the elusive 90m mark but had to settle for a second-place finish and, with his groin injury nearly healed, the star Indian javelin thrower vowed to deliver more 90m-plus throws this season.
The 27-year-old double Olympic medallist sent his spear to 90.23m in his third attempt to join the list of javelin throwers, led by his current coach Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic, who have recorded 90m-plus efforts. He became the third Asian and 25th overall to achieve the feat.
However, Germany's Julian Weber turned the tables and took the top spot with his sixth and final throw, measuring 91.06m. Chopra was leading before Weber's final attempt.
With the monkey off his back, Chopra asserted that his best is yet to come and fans can expect more 90m throws this year from him, an elusive mark for him for the last five years.
Now, a confident and injury-free Chopra, is focussing on fine-tuning a few aspects under Zelezny's tutelage.
Zelezny was roped in as Chopra's coach in November last year. But Chopra said they have been working together since February only.
"I am very happy with the 90m mark but it's a little bit of a bittersweet experience actually. But never mind, I and my coach are still working on some aspects of my throw. We started working together only in February this year. I am still learning things," Chopra said after the event.
"He doesn't normally go to the Diamond Leagues but he came with me because he told me that today is the day to achieve 90m.
"I was always feeling something in my groin in the last few years. I did not give my best because of that. This year I feel much better, we will also work on some aspects and so I believe I can throw more than 90m in the upcoming events this year till the World Championships."
The World Championships will be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.
Asked about his next goal, now that the 90m mark had been broken, Chopra said, "My next goal remains 90m. I believe I am ready to throw farther. It's just the beginning of a long season.
"I am very happy that Jan Zelezny is my coach and we worked very hard in South Africa. We are still working on some aspects."
Chopra said the conditions here also helped him in finding big throws and Zelezny also told him that he could cross the 90m mark.
"When I was having warm-up throws my coach said, today is the day when I can throw 90m. After my 90m throw also, he told me I can throw 2-3m farther.
"The wind helps for sure and the weather is a little warm and that helps. It's the first competition of the year, so everyone came with a fresh mindset after a long time and had the hunger inside for the throwing part (sic).
"I also told Julian (Weber) that we can throw 90m. I am also happy for him. We have tried very hard for 90m for so many years, and so we are happy. It's like a good push between us and in the next competition we will push each other again and will throw farther," he said.
Chopra rued that when he breached the national record earlier, he had to finish second twice.
"It had happened earlier also. When I threw an NR with over 89m in Turku, I finished second (sic). In Stockholm DL, when I threw 89.94m, I was second again, so also here," Chopra said.
Weber, on his part, said he did not do anything extra but had a feeling that he can breach the 90m mark here.
"I did not know how it happened. I had a very good massage thanks to my physiotherapist. It was fun today. Neeraj threw his first 90m plus and I went past the mark in my last throw and that was just perfect.
"I was very happy for him. We have been fighting for the 90m throw for a long time and we both achieved that today. So, it was very special for us."
It was Weber's first 90m-plus effort as well, and he became the 26th javelin thrower to breach the coveted mark. His effort was the world leading mark this season so far.
Two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada was third with his opening throw of 84.65m.
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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
