With a distance of 89.34m, Chopra achieved the second-best performance of his career, behind his 89.94m throw in 2022.His impressive showing underscores his determination to defend his title in the upcoming finals.
“I try to be good in the first attempt but it doesn’t always happen,” Chopra said, as quoted by PTI, making it clear that he was in as much hurry to wind up the media interaction as well.
“The faster we do it (interaction), the better for my rest,” he said.
Chopra, the current world champion, showcased his exceptional skills by securing the top position in the qualification round, which consisted of both Group A and Group B, with a colossal throw. Anderson Peters of Grenada, a two-time world champion, clinched the second spot in Group B and the overall standings with a distance of 88.63m.
In Group A, Germany’s Julian Weber emerged victorious with a throw of 87.76m, placing him third in the overall rankings. Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion from Pakistan, also secured his spot in the finals by registering a throw of 86.59m in Group B.
Jakub Vadlejch, the Czech athlete who secured a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, finished in seventh place in the overall standings. His best attempt was recorded in the first round, where he managed a throw of 85.63m.
“It has happened in the past when the first throw did not come good. (But) I try to do better in the first attempt,” Chopra said.
Chopra’s stellar showing on Tuesday alleviated worries about his adductor issue. He expressed confidence in his physical condition as he prepares for the upcoming finals, slated for Thursday.
“I am better now. I will focus on the final. I am trying to keep it in mind and warm up properly. I am feeling better now. I will try to do my best in the final.”
Chopra recognized that the medal round would present a completely new set of obstacles. The competition would be fiercer, and the pressure would be immense.
“In the final, everyone has a different mindset. We should focus on the fact that we have started well and the better we are prepared for the finals, the better,” he said.
“I am very confident and motivated to perform well. I am trying to save my best for the final. That’s the real thing. I am feeling very good, we will try to come with better preparation.”
Asked how he felt before and after the qualification round, he said, “Before the throw I thought it will be very good if we do it in the first attempt, we can go and do some stretching, relax and then we can prepare for the final. After the throw, I felt very good. We are ready for the final.”
Chopra mentioned that he wasn’t performing his best during practice throws.
“We were doing technical throws slowly,” he explained.
The qualification was scheduled early in the day but the final will be held in the evening under cooler conditions. Chopra said the preparations will be according to the conditions.
“It’s going to be a little bit cold and definitely the mindset for the final will be different. And it will be a good and stiff competition. “
Asked who he thinks is best-placed to win the contest, he quipped,” Whoever qualifies automatically is well prepared.”
