The javelin throw DP Manu phone has been ringing non-stop since throwing his personal best 82.43m at the Indian Grand Prix in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. 22-year-old Karnataka pitched the season with two 80 plus pitches.
He is one of the few Indian pitchers to cross 80 meters and Olympic gold medalist Niraji Chopra surpasses this small list in his national record of 88.07 meters.
Chopra’s success in Tokyo has also put the spotlight on other javelin throwers in Tokyo. A group that can throw about 80 meters will participate in the national competition. Your first goal is to cross 80m and then aim
for 85m. Manu showed it only in the second tournament of the season. Rohit Yadav also made his debut at 80m (80.03m) and finished second in the GP.
Sahil Silwal reached 80.65m last year. The qualifying criteria for the World Athletics Championships in July in Eugene is 85m, but everyone is competing for the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. The
manu consistently exceeded 75 meters last season, with a personal best of 76.30 meters. He finished second at the National Open Meeting at 74.92 meters. Manu learned his skills early on by watching YouTube videos of Chopra and Javelin Jan Zelezny in the Czech Republic. Chopra’s Junior Gold in 2016 gave him great encouragement.
“I’ve been in Niraji Bye’s career since he was a teenager. I like the energy and confidence he brings to the field. After his Olympic gold medal, we get support. Kal medal kiya auraajkuch sponsors kephonebhiaagaya (I won
yesterday, but today I got a call from the sponsor), ”says Manu.
“I did more than 80 in training, but I couldn’t do that in last year’s tournament. I worked harder on my technique this year and got results. I think it will get better as the season progresses. There is still work to be done on this technology, “he says.
Manu from Hassan, Karnataka, tried jumping and volleyball at school before starting the javelin throw. “I started in 2014 15. I didn’t have a coach. My PT teacher gave me a bamboo spear, and I loved it. Then I watched a YouTube
video I started seeing and talking to others. At first, I didn’t have much of a technique I learned later at the Army Institute of Sports (ASI), “he says.
Indian Army Havildar is training at ASI in Pune, coached by former International Cassina Snike. In 2010, Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Nike took him to the Army.
“He has been training under me at ASI since 2019. He is doing well at Khelo India and threw about 65m. What caught my attention was his proper training and It was possible to throw such a distance without a trainer. He’s big, has good speed and reach (85 cm long), and is very suitable for javelin throws, “says Nike.
Within six months, Manu threw a 76.24 m at the Lucknow Interstate Championship and won a silver medal. “He consistently threw 75 meters. At last year’s Army trial, he threw 78 meters. This year’s goal was to first exceed the 80 meters he managed in training. He will be able to reach 85 meters this season.
Nike says this may be a milestone year for javelin throwers. “Chopla has set the standard for all bowlers. You are ready to push yourself. If you have 6 pitchers at the same distance and you keep a certain distance, you can exceed 85 meters. I can.”
