Neeraj Chopra: Indian Olympic Champion to miss Paavo Nurmi Games 2023

Indian Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn from the highly anticipated Paavo Nurmi Games 2023. The prestigious event, which has been a celebrated fixture in Turku, Finland since 1957, holds the esteemed title of a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event.

Neeraj gained significant recognition at last year's Finland meet, astonishing spectators with a national record-breaking throw of 89.30m, securing a well-deserved silver medal.

Just last month, Neeraj had withdrawn from the FBK Games in the Netherlands, citing a muscle strain sustained during training. This setback further prolonged his absence from the major competitive arena, spanning approximately eight months since his victorious performance at the Diamond League 2022 finals in Eugene, Oregon, back in September.

However, Neeraj did make a triumphant return to form on May 5th of this year at the Doha Diamond League, showcasing his exceptional talent and determination with a winning throw of 88.67m at the esteemed Qatar Sports Club.

Unfortunately, Neeraj's absence won't be limited to just the Paavo Nurmi Games; he will also miss the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2023. Fans will have to wait until June 27th for his next scheduled appearance at the Golden Spike Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

Despite these setbacks, Neeraj's sights are firmly set on two major upcoming events. He plans to compete in the highly anticipated World Athletics Championships in August, followed by the Asian Games in September, where he will aim to win another Gold medal.

Interestingly, Neeraj won't be the only high-profile athlete missing from the Paavo Nurmi Games. Johannes Vetter, a former world champion from Germany, has also made the difficult decision to skip the event. These two renowned competitors, who previously clashed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, were expected to reignite their captivating rivalry at the Finnish meet.

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