2019 World Athletics Championships
2019 World Athletics Championships: Neeraj Chopra backs Jinson Johnson
Ace Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who is nursing an elbow injury, has backed Jinson Johnson to do well in the ongoing 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha.
Ace Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who is nursing an elbow injury, has backed Jinson Johnson to do well at the ongoing 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha. The Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medallist said so on the sidelines of Indian Sports Honors award ceremony in Mumbai which witnessed numerous athletes like Dipa Karmakar, Bajrang Punia, Satnam Singh, Manu Bhaker, Smriti Mandhana take the stage.
When asked which Indian athletes he thinks can do well in the World Athletics Championships, Neeraj replied:
Jinson Johnson is in good form. He has been performing well. There are a lot of other athletes too who are in their peak and can perform well. The rest depends on the day and time.
The Men's Long Jump Qualification event took place on Friday, with Sreeshankar Murali finishing on the 22nd spot. Only the top twelve athletes qualified for the final, with his 7.62m mark way behind his personal-best of 8.2m which he set at the National Open Athletics meet in Bhubaneswar.
Jinson Johnson will be in action on Thursday in his Men's 1500m heats event. Jinson qualified for the World Championships after bagging silver in the ISTAF Berlin. The 28-year-old clocked 3:35.24, with the qualification mark set at 3:36.00.
Giving an update on his injury, Neeraj said that he has begun his training in full force. The junior World record holder will take part in competitions next year after undergoing surgery on his elbow on May earlier this year.
"My injury is far better than before. I have started my training in full force. I will take part in the competitions next year. This year, almost all the competitions are over. Rehabilitation has gone wonderfully. I maintained my overall fitness regime. As a result, I didn't have to work hard to bring my complete fitness back. I only had to work on my elbow."
In the absence of Neeraj, Shivpal Singh will take charge of India's javelin throw prospects. The 24-year-old has a season-best of 86.23m, which he achieved at the 2019 Asian Championships in Doha.
