Neeraj Chopra Shares His Disappointment On Missing The Gold Medal At WAC 2022

Neeraj Chopra made India proud once again after becoming the first Indian male athlete to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships 2022. After getting qualified for the finals on 21 July 2022, he secured the second spot in the finals on 23 July 2022. His fourth throw was 88.13m which ensured him the historical silver medal for India. 

However, India’s golden boy was not impressed at all by his own performance as he was expecting a gold medal this time around. Even, after the finals, he expressed his disappointment and his future plans ahead of the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, England.

“I won silver at the World Championships. But there is always a desire for gold” – Neeraj Chopra

After the finals, this Indian athlete spoke to ESPN about windy conditions that made it tough for him during his first three throws. He also praised and congratulated the eventual winner, Anderson Peters. Peters won the gold medal with a monster 90.54m throw. He said: “A 90m throw is not easy. It might have looked easy but Anderson Peters was putting in a lot of effort. I always say that every athlete has his day and today it was Peters. I am happy [for him], he has worked so hard. It’s good for me, good for the sport. I have good competition,”

However, he did not seem so happy when he said: “yeah, but this one isn’t gold.” He also ensured that this win will enhance his hunger to win the gold medal in the next World Athletics Championships. “Now, I just have a greater hunger to change the colour of this medal to gold in the next Worlds” Chopra added.

However, Neeraj also opened up on an injury scare as he felt something in his groin while delivering that fourth attempt or throw. “I will know by morning how it feels… if it’s something to worry about,” Chopra concluded. Now, the whole of India will wait for him to get back in action in the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2022, starting from 28 July 2022 in Birmingham.