YouTube-Trained Nirbhay Choudhary breaks 10-year-old hammer throw record

New Delhi: Indian hammer throwers delivered a memorable night at the JLN Stadium here as both the men’s and women’s events produced national records.

In what was a stunning display, Nirbhay Choudhary stole the spotlight in the men’s hammer throw final, outshining two Asian Games-bound athletes - Damneet Singh & Praveen Kumar - with a national record performance.

The 21-year-old became the first Indian man to breach the 71-metre mark, launching a massive 71.02m throw on his very first attempt.

In doing so, he has now eclipsed the 10-year-old national record of 70.73m set by Neeraj Kumar in 2016. The fact that Nirbhay accomplished the feat in a stadium where he trains made the moment all the more sweeter.

“I had planned this right from the start. I missed the chance in Meerut Athletics Series because of rain, so I had to do it today somehow. It’s been a long time, and 10 years have passed. We had to break it,” Nirbhay said after breaking the decade ong record.

Self-trained through YouTube

As a youngster, Nirbhay was always drawn towards athletics. In his formative years, he experimented with hurdles and the jumping events before finally finding his true calling in the hammer throw.

Thereafter, he honed his skills under the guidance of his father, Naresh Choudhary, who incidentally was a former hammer thrower himself.

“I’ve been doing this since Class 7. I started with my father, who was a hammer thrower. For the last two years, I’ve been training completely on my own,” said Nirbhay.

Without a coach or a sponsor, Nirbhay trains all by himself at the same stadium, and often turns to YouTube for guidance, where videos of elite international athletes help him refine his technique.

“I’m doing everything on my own. That’s why I want to work with a good coach in the future. Otherwise, I am training on YouTube only, watching world-level athletes,” he said.

His biggest inspiration is the legendary Sergey Litvinov of the Soviet Union, the 1988 Seoul Olympic champion, whose powerful technique continues to motivate the young Indian thrower.

'Want to keep improving'

Nirbhay made the transition to the senior level this year, but it took him longer than expected to be fully ready. As a result, he started late and missed out on a place in the 2026 Asian Games squad.

He has competed in just two tournaments so far this season, both within the last month - the Indian Series meets in Panchkula and Meerut. Which is what makes his record-setting performance on Thursday night all the more commendable. 

“All the best to everyone going to the Asian Games. It’s fine that I’m not going. I’ll try next time. Right now, I’m just happy that I broke the national record and beat the athletes who are heading to the Asian Games,” he said, showing little regret about missing the continental event.

“My aim was to throw 70 metres once and then start competing regularly at the senior level. I’m not going to be satisfied with just one national record. I want to keep improving it 6-7 times in the coming competitions,” a determined Nirbhay added.

He will next compete at the Open Nationals next month at the same stadium and later at international meets.

“Throwing big distances here is not a big deal because it’s only a domestic meet. The real challenge is to perform at the international level,” he said.

Highly motivated to keep progressing, Nirbhay is confident of challenging the world’s best and bringing more international success to India.

“My father laid a strong technical base for me. I was already throwing the 6 kg hammer around 85-86 metres. So I have the technique to throw 80 metres with the senior implement. Now I just need to work on my strength for the 7 kg hammer,” he said, setting his sights on the 80-metre mark.

While Nirbhay's goals are clear and ambitious, there are roadblocks that lie ahead. 

Prize money offers relief

Nirbhya has made the hammer throw his life's ambition, but without a job and a sponsor, footing the expenses has become a major challenge. 

“There is definitely a financial problem. Even travelling from my house to the stadium is difficult, and then there is my diet. I don’t even have proper supplements. My family has also started questioning what I’m going to do,” said Nirbhay.

Fortunately, the Indian Athletics Series came at the perfect time for him. His outstanding performance earned him prize money of ₹1 lakh, which will provide some much-needed relief.

“These events organised by our federation are very good. What I received today as prize money from the federation will be extremely helpful because I have managed everything — both financially and in training — completely on my own,” he added.

True to his name, Nirbhay bears a fearless mindset and with his performance on Thursday night, has well and truly announced his arrival on the senior national stage in emphatic style.

The real challenge now will be to keep progressing, cement his place as India’s leading hammer thrower, and eventually raise his game to compete among the world’s elite.