HTLS Day 4 LIVE: Want India to become javelin superpower, says Neeraj Chopra

A fascinating chat with Neeraj Chopra marks the end of today's session at the HTLS 2023! Thank you for joining in, and we will see you tomorrow!

In past few months, Indian javelin throwers have been emerging in international competitions, with Kishore Jena recently winning a silver medal at the Asian Games. And Neeraj wants India to become a ‘javelin superpower’.

“I want that to happen! I want India to become a superpower in javelin! See, every athlete has their own time at their peak. If you want to play for a long time, there will come a time when your performances will go down, and someone will take over. And I've already accepted that. I want an Indian athlete to beat me, and keep our Indian flag flying high.”

With growing technologies and advancement in training equipment, Neeraj believes it is important for an athlete to identify what works best for them, and not get overwhelmed by too many choices.

When we throw, our simple funda is to throw the farthest. But we have to train a lot for it. So, I focus on that. My job is to throw the javelin. Right now, the biggest problem there are a lot of excercises, and things are getting complicated. For example, if we talk about Jan Železný, who has the world record in javelin, he had simple trainings. Now, the things have improved but we try to overuse them, it gets complicated. So, I try to not keep it too complicated and keep things simple," says Neeraj.

Whenever Neeraj Chopra is in action, India expects gold. But the Indian javelin star says he has grown used to the expectations over time.

“I feel I don't have to do a lot of work in that aspect (pressure of expectations in Paris). At Olympics, yes, a lot of people were expecting a medal. I played Worlds last year and this time too and won gold, played in Asian Games two times now and won in both. So, this isn't happening for the first time. It has happened a lot of times, people have expected me to win and I've expected myself to win, and I have succeeded. I believe in myself, and try to live myself in the moment. I'm just focussing on the training. Once I'm in the stadium in Paris, it's just about being in the zone.”

Neeraj Chopra believes that while his Olympic medal made a difference, the government, along with SAI, have invested heavily in development of sports.

“Many people say that Olympics brought a huge difference. But I feel SAI, the government's TOPS scheme has made a major impact. Government is investing in sport, athletes are training abroad. We weren't a sporting nation, but now we are recognising our capabilities. The best thing is when athletes compete in international event, they are fearless. They have a winning attitude. They are not just satisfied with wearing the Indian jerseys. They want to win.”

Neeraj has been training in Europe for many years now, and left home for the first time in 2011 in pursuit for a career in javelin. He opens up on missing his family, and makes a great revelation on his cooking skills!

“Food isn't a big concern, honestly! Taste is no more a priority for me! (chuckles) When I first left my home to train, I used to miss home-cooked food a lot. Now, it's not a problem. But I do miss talking to my family, sitting with them till late nights. But you have to sacrifice on something to achieve things. Family has accepted it now. I left home for the first time since 2011. My mother cried a lot when I first left, but now, she encourages me to train. I've learnt how to cook, so if I find a kitchen, I try to make Indian food,” says Neeraj

The Indian javelin throw acknowledges the towering challenge of defending his Olympic title in Paris next year, but believes it is important to continue to focus on processes and remain injury-free.

“When I think of Paris, the only thing that comes to my mind that all the hardwork I put is important for Olympics. It's a big thing to defend an Olympics title. I'm feeling at my best, and if I keep myself fit... because injuries can come anytime. I need to ensure I remain injury-free, and will travel to Olympics with full focus,” says the India star.

For the past few years, Neeraj Chopra has seen more wins than losses. But it wasn't always the case. And as he is asked about whether a possibility of defeats keeps him on his toes, Neeraj insists that the losses he endured early in his career have played a crucial role in taking him to the top of his game.

“I participated in international competitions for the first time in 2017. And I had been losing right from that time till 2022. I got a podium finish in Diamond League for the first time last year. It wasn't as if it happened suddenly. I couldn't play 2019 due to injury, there was no competition in 2020, and focus was on Olympics in 2021. But yes, I've seen losses up close in 2017. Sometimes, your body doesn't support you, sometimes, you give your best but still lose. There are a lot of things that aren't in your hand. There are qualifications, then best 12, and three athletes get medals. I'm feeling good right now, but even if there are losses, you have to accept it.”

Neeraj's triumph in Tokyo was impactful in the growth of javelin as a sport in India, and the India star remains extremely proud of India's continual growth in the sport so far.

“The biggest advantage of training in Europe is that the biggest tournaments take place there. We don't have to travel much, and we are accustomed to the weather. So, there aren't many problems there. There's a lot to learn from athletes here as well about their training methods and preparations. Javelin hasn't been an Indian game, to start with. Now, even in Paralmypics, India have performed. Now, the world knows that India has improved in javelin.”

Neeraj created history when he won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first Indian athlete to achieve the top podium finish in track and field events. He now opens up on the triumph.

“I was very relaxed in Tokyo as well. When we are focusing on a particular thing, it becomes easy. It doesn't mean the competition gets easy; but when we are fully focussed on a particular work, it becomes easy for us. If I only think about competition, and put unnecessary pressure on me, I might not do better. I don't know about childhood, but since I took up this sport, this is what I've learnt.”

Neeraj says he often looks back at the videos of his events and believes he can be more calm and relaxed during the finals, insisting that it could help him do even better.

“When you're in the stadium, you're in a different zone altogether. When there is stiff competition, you are focused. But when I look back at the videos, I feel sometimes if I'm more relaxed and more calm mentally, it can give better rewards. With every competition, I keep learning on how to remain calm and relaxed, and learn from my mistakes in previous throws,” says Neeraj.

In many qualification events of late, Neeraj needed just one throw to qualify for the final, and he opens up on how he worked to achieve such perfection.

“There was worlds in 2017 in London. 83m was automatic qualification, and I thought I can do it. My first two throws were good, and so, I was under pressure in my third because it was the final throw. It was an 80m+ throw, but not enough to earn me a qualification. At that time, I decided I can't go light in qualifications. I have to give my best every time, and try to qualify in the first throw itself. Since then, I've performed good.”

Every sport has different training methods, and for Neeraj, it isn't the physical effort but technique that remains a priority when he is preparing for competitions.

“Every sport is different. We give our 100 percent to training, but not always. In specific javelin training, we can't give our 100 percent. We focus more on technique. Just as the competition nears, we try to exert our best just to check whether we are hitting the targets. We focus on technique more than effort when it comes to javelin. In competition, of course, you have to give your 100 percent,” says Neeraj.

Neeraj puts his emphasis on patience in sports, insisting that it may take an athlete 8-10 years to get results.

“Patience is key in sports. The biggest problem is lack of patience. Everyone wants results, but sports isn't like that. It can take you 8-10 years to get results. Olympics have a proper schedule, and you always try to make your plans according to it. Yes, Covid has taught us that plans don't work always, and things won't work according to us. But we have to do what we can. We plan together, and work on it. So, patience is key. When our fitness level improve, and if we remain injury-free, results will come.”

“People cheer for you, and I feel that. I'm in the zone when I'm on the runnway. But I realise it when people are clapping for me. My entire focus remains on the throw, though, and that is the best part of it. When you are in the zone, you give your best,” says Neeraj Chopra.

The Indian javelin thrower believes it is tough to have the pressure of expectations but the love from his fellow countrymen keeps him motivated.

There are more than 60-70,000 people at stadium, it feels like we are in a different zone altogether. There are expectations, and it is tough. But people pray for you, and you always have the belief in yourself, so you get the result. I will keep working hard and perform in international competitions.

Neeraj says that he is always striving to “better” himself, and that the competition at the Asian Games with fellow Indian athlete Kishore Jena – who won a silver medal – motivated him further.

“It was a dream to play in Olympics, World C'ships, and such big events. I always want to give my best. We are motivated to better ourselves daily, even in our trainings. Jena did really well at Asian Games, my first throw wasn't measured due to technical problems. The conditions were quite adverse, but when Jena crossed 84m mark, I also got motivated. It was a competition then. I always feel I had to push my best until the last throw.”

Neeraj Chopra, India's ‘Golden Boy’, who recently added a second Asian Games gold to his tally this year, following a Worlds gold and Diamond League title as well.

Mamedi highlights the importance of remaining two steps ahead of fraudsters.

He shares the company's long-term vision, where Truecaller aims to streamline your calling experience. Mamedi explains, "In the long term, we would love for Truecaller to just take all the calls you don't even bother about, but for those calls that are important to you, the system will hand it over to you. Basically to make sure that you actually save time.”

Mamedi expresses the profound importance of India in Truecaller's business, describing it as their "home market."

The Truecaller CEO also pointe out that India's immense potential is a driving force for the company. He says, "It's always been a priority for us, and that's why the numbers are the way they are." In recognition of India's rapid economic growth, Mamedi notes, "While the rest of the world has a negative GDP growth, this year and next year, India is actually expected to grow by over 6%."

Drawing from the lessons of nuclear arms control, Mamedi points out that the key question lies in why nations should establish principles, guidelines, and regulations around AI when their competitors may not. The challenge, he notes, is finding common ground in a world where different nations may have varying interests.

“This is where everyone needs to be educated and understand the potential of it and then come to some sort of a universal and global agreement on how we do it.”

Mamedi addresses one of the most pressing concerns of our era during his talk at the HT Leadership Summit 2023: the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Mamedi emphasizes the complex and multifaceted nature of this challenge and offered thought-provoking insights.

Mamedi draws a powerful analogy: "I think what we have in front of us is probably in the magnitude of a nuclear bomb. But in the digital world."

One striking example Mamedi provided is the manipulation of voice using AI models. "You can use AI models to manipulate someone's voice by just recording 5 seconds of that voice," he explains. This capability could be leveraged to deceive individuals by mimicking someone else's voice, potentially for fraudulent purposes.

Mamedi illustrates how these tools could be misused: "Then you can imagine how easily you can build an engine that just starts to send out calls to millions of people every second and with fake voices trying to pretend to be your uncle that he needs money, for example."

Mamedi paints a vivid picture of potential technological misuse. He notes that with the ease of access, individuals could exploit technology in alarming ways. "When you look at the future," he cautions, "when technology becomes this accessible for everyone, you can go into a website and create thousands of new phone numbers just by writing a simple script."