If the affable Neeraj Chopra’s World No. 1 rank in men’s Javelin Throw has come as a just reward for his consistency in big-ticket events and has been exhilarating for those who have basked in reflected glory, the 25-year-old’s journey ahead promises to be just as exciting – not just because of the milestones that beckon him but also because of his evolution as a high-performance athlete.
As news of his ascent to the top spot on World Rankings spread cheers in India, it is natural for the ‘what next’ question to arise. The greedy can say he has to acquire the aura of invincibility; the uninitiated can demand that he wins gold in this year’s World Championships and the Olympic Games next year, unmindful of the quality of competition and the unforgiving nature of sport.
