Neeraj Chopra's guidance fuels high jumper Sarvesh Kushare's Olympic dreams

Sarvesh Kushare, Paris Games-bound high jumper, attributes his boosted confidence to invaluable advice from Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra.

Chopra is an inspiration for star high jumper

¡°Focus on training and don't get scared by the fame of the opponents¡± is the mantra Kushare adopted from Chopra, who has inspired him tremendously.

"He (Chopra) is my idol and he gave us confidence by winning the first-ever Olympic medal in athletics. We also want to be like him and bring pride to the country,¡± said the high jumper, in an interview with PTI.

PTI

This guidance has been particularly crucial as Kushare, at one point this year, was uncertain about making the cut for the Paris Games, ultimately securing his spot through the world ranking quota.

Kushare's sporting journey

Kushare, hailing from Deogaon village near Nashik in Maharashtra, has had a remarkable journey.

From practising on a makeshift mat made of corn fodder to becoming the first Indian high jumper to qualify for the Olympics, his story is one of perseverance and dedication. Despite a personal best of 2.27m and a season's best of 2.25m, Kushare aims to make it to the final round at the Paris Games, frequently jumping over 2.30m in practice sessions.

TIL

Standing at 5 feet 9 inches, Kushare doesn't let his height deter him. "It is only my height that is small but I am also very strong from within. There is no fear of seeing my opponent's personality," he said. His focus is currently on the qualification round on August 7, with the primary goal of making it to the finals.

Training in Spala, Poland, along with other Paris-bound Indian athletes, Kushare reminisces about his humble beginnings. Without a high jump mat in his village, he practised on a mat made from corn fodder used for cows. He credits his early training to his school's PT teacher, R W Jadhav, and later, the support from the Army Sports Institute and Olympic Gold Quest, which sent him to America for advanced training.

Kushare's unwavering dedication

Despite a nine-month-old daughter he hasn't seen since November, Kushare remains committed to his Olympic dreams. ¡°I have a nine-month-old daughter but I have not met her since November. Initially, I stayed with her for just five days and now I will meet her only after the Olympics,¡± he shared.

Neeraj Chopra| Image by PTI

The contest is going to be challenging, featuring star performers such as Mutaz Barshim from Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi from Italy, who split the gold in Tokyo with a leap of 2.37m, setting the standard. However, Kushare's self-belief remains strong, motivated by his steady achievements and recovery from an ankle problem.

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Daily training in Spala includes gym sessions, speed work, strength training, and crucial recovery periods. ¡°Practice includes gym, speed work, strength training. The recovery sessions here are very good. We just rest in our free time because it is very important to give rest to the body,¡± he said.

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Regular consultations with a sports psychologist and morning yoga and meditation help him stay mentally prepared for the challenges ahead. The Indian athletics team has been training in Spala since July 8 and will depart for Paris on July 29.

(With inputs from PTI)

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