Neeraj Chopra To Take Time Off To Get Ready For Packed 2022

India's lone gold-medallist at Tokyo Olympics Neeraj Chopra (Picture courtesy AP)

New Delhi: India’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist in track-and-field, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has made a decision to end his 2021 competition season due to a “packed schedule of travel and a bout of illness” and promised to come back stronger in 2022.

“The packed schedule of travel and a bout of illness has meant I have not been able to resume training since Tokyo…,” Neeraj wrote on an Instagram post.

“…therefore, along with my team, have decided to cut short by 2021 competition season to be able to take some time off, recharge and come back stronger for a packed 2022 calendar which includes the World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.”

The 23-year-old Chopra has been busy since his return to India, leaving him exhausted. He also fought a bout of fever.

“Firstly, I want to thank everyone for the love and affection I have received since I came back from Tokyo. I have honestly been overwhelmed by the support from across the country and beyond, and am short of words to express my gratitude to you all,” Chopra said.

“I have been encouraged by all the support to Indian athletics over these past few weeks and would urge you all to keep supporting India and Indian athletics in the months and years to come,” he wrote.

Chopra had become only the second Indian to bag an individual gold in the Olympics, after Abhinav Bindra, when he produced a second-round throw of 87.58m in the finals at Tokyo.

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