A few months ago, one felt life would be difficult for Neeraj Chopra at the Commonwealth Games. But now, surprisingly, the pieces appear to be falling into place for the under-20 World champion.
Under normal circumstances, the focus in javelin would have been on Julius Yego, the 2015 World champion and Rio Olympics silver medallist who has a massive 92.72m personal best.
But after last season’s injury, the Kenyan is not in great shape and had poor 73m throws in two recent meets. In comparison, Asian champion Neeraj, second on the world list with 85.94m, has been consistent over 82m this season.
And, with Trinidad’s Keshorn Walcott, the 2012 London Olympics champion and Rio Olympics bronze medallist, opting out, Neeraj’s chances of bringing India’s first ever Commonwealth Games javelin gold on his debut appear bright.
India has been a sort of weakling in CWG athletics, winning just four golds so far — Milkha Singh (440 yards, 1958), women’s 4x400m (2010), Krishna Poonia (women’s discus, 2010) and Vikas Gowda (men’s discus, 2014).
Punia in roaring form
But Asian Games champion Seema Punia, who returned with a medal in the last three editions of the CWG, will have it tough as the host’s Dani Stevens, a former World champion and silver medallist at last year’s London Worlds, is in roaring form.
Still, the Gold Coast CWG could turn out to be India’s best-ever in athletics if one leaves out the 2010 edition in New Delhi.
“We are expecting five to six medals this time but don’t ask me what colour they will be,” deputy chief National coach Radhakrishnan Nair told The Hindu from Gold Coast. “And yes, in terms of number of medals, this promises to be our best ever outside India.”
Though they were early birds, the Indians did not compete in any of the meets in Australia and, this being early season, it is tough to predict how the competition would pan out. Indian performances at major games earlier have only offered confusing signals!
But Bedros Bedrosian, the National long and triple jump coach, feels Arpinder Singh is in gold form.
“I feel 16.80m will bring gold and Arpinder is capable of doing it,” said the Romanian.
Longer jump
However, Arpinder feels it would require a longer jump.
“I think gold will go for 17m and I feel I can do it,” said the 2014 CWG bronze medallist, the second best jumper among Commonwealth athletes this season with his 16.61 at the Federation Cup.
There will be a bunch of 17m jumpers like Dominica’s Cuba-born Yordanys Duranona Garcia, Jamaican Clive Pullen and Bahamas’ Latario Collie waiting for him.
