ATHLETICS | Neeraj returns to ‘natural technique’ in first outing of the year

Neeraj Chopra who will make his first competitive public appearance in almost nine months on Friday, admitted it had been a long, introspective hiatus with several changes, declared he was fit and raring to go and confirmed that the Asian Games was definitely part of his plans for the year ahead.

Speaking to select media via video call ahead of his season opener at the Doha Diamond League, Neeraj was candid enough to acknowledge that it was a last-minute decision to participate.

“I am a little nervous talking to so many people after such a long time! We started throwing one and half months ago and took our time. I talked to the Doha organisers and asked them if it was possible if I let them know in a very short period, like one week before (the event). They said yes and then we decided after my last session, let’s compete in Doha,” Neeraj explained.

His last outing was at the Tokyo World Championships in September 2025, where Neeraj finished a disappointing eighth, and admitted in hindsight it was perhaps not the best decision.

“I had some injury before Tokyo, we worked on it and I competed but I don’t think it was a good decision. I knew I had a problem but I still went ahead because it was the last competition of the season.

“As athletes, there is always some niggle we struggle with, we try to save that injury and we feel another one. So then I had in my ankle, then somewhere in the shoulder. Then I sat with my team, my physio and we worked on every part.”

Asked about his training so far and the split from the legendary Jan Zelezny after just one season, Chopra insisted he was now in a good space.

“Jan Zelzny was a great athlete and he was a really good coach also but we worked on few specific things. I’m happy that I could break the 90m mark with him.

“After Tokyo, I had to stay in one place for the season and that was not possible for me. So we decided that maybe I need to work with my ideas and now I work with my Indian coach (Jaiveer Chaudhary).

“I’m working on my natural technique. He is my senior, I started javelin with him. Now we are working on what I had originally when I started. We are not working on anything specific or very deep. I have a good team around me, I feel very good,” he said, revealing that the Asian Games were part of his calendar for the year.