In his first international tournament after 10+ monts , Neeraj Chopra breaks

 Back with a bang! India's 'golden boy' Neeraj Chopra set a new national record as he threw 89.30 metres at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland. Chopra's earlier national record was 88.07m which he had set in Patiala in March last year. He had won the Tokyo Olympics gold with a throw of 87.58m on August 7, 2021.

Chopra could not have asked for a better way to return to competitive action for the first time since Tokyo Olympics as the ace jevelin thrower wins silver.

On his much-anticipated return to international competition, in Turku on Tuesday, Chopra let out a similar cry as the javelin pierced through the sunny sky of the Finnish city that’s considered the spiritual home of javelin throw. And just like his throw in Tokyo, he lifted both his arms to celebrate.

Neeraj started the Continental Tour event, which was also his first competitive tournament since the Tokyo Games wherein he blew away the rest of the field to win the gold medal, with a throw of 86.92m.

In his second throw, Neeraj broke the national record. He made 3 valid attempts at the event in Finland and signed off with a throw of 85.85m.

Neeraj finished 2nd in the event behind Finland's Oliver Helander, who sealed the top spot with a best throw of 89.83m. Reigning world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada finished at the 3rd spot with a best throw of 86.60m.

The Paavo Nurmi Games, a gold event in World Athletics Continental Tour, is one of the biggest track and field tournaments outside the Diamond League.

For months after the Tokyo Olympics, the 24-year-old was away from the sport attending felicitation functions, shooting commercials and gracing talk shows before he could return to the place where he’s most comfortable: the athletics ground. He returned to the basics only in November, when he travelled to the Chula Vista training centre in the USA. Chopra reduced up to 14kg to get back to competitive shape and has been away from India since the start of the year to prepare for competition.

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