Star Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra said he would want to compete on the recently created Mondo track in New Delhi and expressed his satisfaction with para javelin thrower Sumit Antil’s gold medal at the World Para Athletics Championships on Tuesday on the excellent surface.
In order to help Indian athletes prepare more effectively for international contests, two-time Olympic javelin medalist Neeraj had previously asked the Union Sports Ministry to establish the Mondo track. JLN Stadium’s recently created Mondo track is hosting its first major athletics event, the World Para Athletics Championships.
“I am extremely happy that the Mondo track has been laid here (at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium) because internationally we have to compete on this surface,” said Chopra, who especially came to the venue to watch the para javelin event.
“I would love to compete on this Mondo track. I last competed here (JLN Stadium) in 2016 and definitely would like to come here and compete again,” the former world champion, who could not defend his title in Tokyo recently, said.
Neeraj had reported experiencing back spasms following the World Championship.
Although he was pleased that Sumit had broken the meet mark, the champion thrower acknowledged that he could have also pursued the world record.
By winning the men’s F64 event with a meet record throw of 71.37 meters, surpassing his own Championships mark of 70.83 meters set the previous year, Sumit extended his incredible run and won his third consecutive victory at the World Para Athletics Championships.
“He set the championship record . I thought he could have done even better and created a world record. It’s a very big thing that this mega para athletics event is taking place in our country. I congratulate Devendra Jhajharia (Paralympic Committee of India president) for this achievement,” said Neeraj.
“India has become a powerhouse in javelin not because of me but because of Devendra Jhajharia. Jhajharia started it (by winning Paralympics gold). Then I came into the Olympics, then Indian para athletes came, Sumit (Antil), Rinku,” added Neeraj.
