India’s Olympic and world Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made a triumphant return to competitive action at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday, claiming the gold medal with a powerful throw of 85.97m. This victory marked a significant milestone in his preparation for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, where he will look to defend his title.
Chopra’s Performance Last Win Chopra’s
The 26-year-old Indian athlete started the competition with a decent throw of 83.62m. Which put him in a strong position early on. However, he faced a brief setback when Oliver Helander of Finland took the lead with a throw of 83.96m in the second round. Undeterred, Chpra responded with a stunning 85.97m throw in his third attempt, which proved to be the winning effort. He maintained his lead throughout the competition, ultimately securing the gold medal.
The Competition
The Paavo Nurmi Games featured a strong field of eight javelin throwers, including Finland’s Toni Kerann, who won the silver medal with a personal best throw of 84.19m. Oliver Helander took the bronze medal with 83.96m, while Anderson Peters of Grenada finished fourth with 82.58m. Max Dehning, the 19-year-old German prodigy, finished seventh with a throw of 79.84m, failing to breach the 80m mark.
Chopra’s Season So Far
Chopra has had a busy season, starting with a second-place finish at the Doha Diamond League in May with a throw of 88.36m. He then won the gold medal in the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar, India, with a modest 82.27m throw. His performance at the Paavo Nurmi Games marked a significant improvement, indicating that he is peaking at the right time ahead of the Olympics.
Quest to Hit 90m Mark
Chopra has expressed his desire to hit the 90m mark, which would be a significant milestone in his career. He has been working tirelessly to improve his technique and build up his strength. In an interview, he revealed that he has not been satisfied with any of his throws since his world under-20 record of 86.48m in 2016. He believes that he has not yet reached his peak and is determined to achieve his goal.
Next Competitions
After the Paavo Nurmi Games, Chopra will next be seen in action at the Paris Diamond League on July 7. He has opted out of the National Inter-State Athletics in Panchkula to avoid a hectic schedule ahead of the Olympics. Further competition schedule will be decided based on his body’s condition and the situation.
Conclusion
Neeraj Chopra’s victory at the Paavo Nurmi Games is a significant boost to his confidence ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. His performance demonstrates that he is in top form and ready to take on the best javelin throwers in the world. With his sights set on the 90m mark, Chopra is likely to continue pushing himself to new heights, making him a strong contender for the gold medal in Paris.
