Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Coach-less Nirbhay Choudhary Sets Hammer Throw National Record
Nirbhay Choudhary is a 21-year-old hammer thrower from Delhi.
He threw the hammer 71.02 metres at a national competition.
This broke the previous Indian record of 70.73 metres.
Nirbhay trains mostly by himself instead of working with a regular coach.
He learns from videos and advice found online.
His father helped him when he was beginning, and Sergey Litvinov Junior later gave him tips.
Nirbhay also had to recover from dengue before returning to competition.
He now hopes to throw even farther and compete internationally.
Nirbhay Choudhary threw 71.02 metres at the Indian Athletics Series Final.
His mark surpassed Neeraj Kumar’s 70.73m national record set in 2016.
He became the first Indian to legally cross 71 metres in the event.
Choudhary trains without a coach, using online videos and occasional guidance from European coaches.
After recovering from dengue, he aims to improve the record and pursue greater international opportunities.
- Who
- Nirbhay Choudhary, a 21-year-old hammer thrower from Delhi.
- What
- He set an Indian men’s hammer throw national record of 71.02 metres.
- When
- At the Indian Athletics Series Final; the article also identifies September 10, 2025, as the date associated with his dengue recovery and record goal.
- Where
- The main track at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi.
- Why
- He had trained independently for two years and wanted to produce a result that could help him secure a top-level coach and greater international opportunities.
- New national record
- 71.02 metres by Nirbhay Choudhary
- Previous record
- 70.73 metres by Neeraj Kumar, set in 2016
- Age
- 21
- Training approach
- Self-directed training using YouTube, online literature, diet plans, exercises and occasional Instagram advice
- Key guidance
- Sergey Litvinov Junior advised him to use a light hammer and focus on pelvic muscle exercises
- Health setback
- Choudhary spent two years recovering and practising after suffering from dengue
- Asian Games
- He missed the Asian Games qualification mark but expects opportunities in future competitions