Q/Can you describe the hours leading up to and after the final?
A/ It is all a blur. Before the competition, it felt like the Olympics is right here upon us and after winning the gold, it is a different feeling. When you are preparing for a competition there is a pressure on you both mentally and physically. Post the event I am feeling a bit relaxed. Feeling that I am an Olympic champion, yes. The medal stays with me most of the time. Even if I do take it off, I keep it near me.
Q/People have always expected you to win medals, right from the junior level. Have you felt the pressure of such high expectations?
A/ The expectations were rightfully there. The entire country was expecting me to achieve something at the Olympics. It depends on you how you take this—as pressure or as motivation. If one has the ability [to deliver] it means people’s confidence is rightfully placed.
Q/ At what point during the final did you believe you would get gold?
A/ While I was competing I had to do something extra, something different. I had not thought about getting the gold.
Q/You are 23, but have shown maturity beyond your years. Where do you get this from?
A/ It is important to keep your feet on the ground. My family and seniors have guided me to be like this. I believe whatever one achieves, one must always be respectful towards others. There is something [beyond sports], so it is important to be grounded.
Q/What was the lowest point in your career? Injury or not being able to compete because of the lockdown?
A/ The injury time was definitely the lowest point for me. It happens with everyone. When I was injured, I was helpless, unable to throw the javelin or train. But it taught me that maybe you have hit a low, but time will change things eventually. I took it in a positive way.
Q/How challenging was that injury and recovery period?
A/ It lasted six to seven months. After recovery, I entered my name in the open nationals. I was just so desperate to compete again. But then the AFI (Athletics Federation of India) advised me not to rush into it, so I withdrew. The surgery process was not as bad; I was advised bed rest for a week post the surgery, followed by rehab. Then I was told I could start light cycling and training. I felt happy to just get back to physical training.
Q/Who supported you during that time?
A/ My seniors were there to help me out. Jaiveer (early coach) and my friend Monu. There was my family; my uncles would motivate me. It is team work. Everyone in the federation (AFI), SAI (Sports Authority of India) and JSW Sports supported me. I went for my rehab to IIS (Inspire Institute of Sport), Vijayanagar (Bengaluru). Each staff member there helped me a lot. Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala at Kokilaben Hospital, who did my elbow surgery, too helped a lot.
Q/There has been a lot of talk this past year about achieving the 90m throw, with Johannes Vetter doing it so often. Did you get bogged down by that question?
A/ He is a very fine athlete, and throwing 90m distance so consistently [makes him a] one-of-a-kind thrower. Maybe he went in overconfident at the Olympics. But I was focused on my own thing. In our sport, it all boils down to how you throw on that day. So I really was not bothered about the 90m buzz.
Q/What next? Rest and time with family?
A/ Yes, but my journey as a javelin thrower has just started. Yes, I have won gold at the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, but I still want to improve and perform consistently. I do not want to be satisfied with these achievements.