(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Armstrong Vas I The Peninsula
Doha: After winning gold at last month's Commonwealth Games, rising Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra is preparing for a busy season in the coming few months.
The 2016 Under-20 World Champion and the 2017 Asian Champion will make his Diamond League debut at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium today.
Chopra threw the javelin 86.47m at the Gold Coast last month, around three and a half meters short of the javelin gold standard of 90m.
'Right now, my mind is focused on challenges that lie ahead - the Diamond League season and the Asian Games in August, Chopra told The Peninsula yesterday.
'Next year, I will be taking part in the World Championships followed by Olympics in 2020, he said, adding he will be aiming to touch the 90m mark this season.
Chopra made his Diamond League last year but the 20-year-old says fans expect him to do well now that he has won the Commonwealth Games gold.
'This time it will be different. Earlier I would compete with a free mind. Now I have to compete knowing the expectations people have on me. There is a different pressure when you are supposed to bring him some medals, Chopra said.
One thing Chopra is sure is that the gold in Australia has raised his confidence level to new heights.
'The Commonwealth Games gold has done a lot to boost my confidence, said Chopra.
'If I don't do well, people will begin to say that he wasn't able to perform at the biggest stage. I have to perform. I have won the Commonwealth Games so people expect big things from me. The Diamond League isn't easy but now I have a reputation to maintain too, he says.
Chopra faces a stern test in Doha as he comes up against Olympic javelin champion Thomas Rohler and all three medallists from London 2017 world championships.
'The Diamond League is a strong competition. Some of the best javelin throwers are taking part here. I will try to live up to the expectations and try to perform at my best, said Chopra.
Rohler last year wowed the crowds in Doha as he threw an incredible 93.90m to move him to second on the all-time list behind world-record holder Jan Zelezny.
Chopra, who is trained by German legend Uwe Hohn, is aiming to touch the 90m before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has little doubt he will get past that mark.
Only six active athletes - Johannes Vetter, Rohler, Andreas Hoffman, Tero Pitkomaki, Chao Tsun Cheng and Julius Yego have crossed that barrier.
'There are so many people who can throw 80m. But there is another feeling to be counted among those who can throw 90m. I have to get to 90m by the time of the Tokyo Olympics. Earlier 80m was a barrier, now 90m is the new target, he said.
Chopra believes he will get to that mark.
'Coach tells me that I could have thrown even more at Gold Coast. I could have got 2-3m more but everything has to come together to get that throw. Hopefully I will touch the 90m mark before the Tokyo Games, he said.
Chopra is supported by JSW Sports group which is engaged in driving a variety of sporting programmes to empower some of India's best athletes.
He said more and more Indian sponsors are supporting Indian athletes in their pursuit for sports excellence.
'I am thankful to JSW Sports besides my sponsors Nike and American sports beverage manufacturer Gatorade for supporting me, he said.
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