Neeraj Chopra makes a huge return, sets new national record with 89.30m throw

Featuring for the first time in an international tournament since the Tokyo Olympics, Indian star Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made a huge return at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland where he broke his own national record with an 89.30m throw.

The Olympic gold medalist finished second and won the silver medal at the event. Finland's Oliver Helander threw his personal best of 89.83m to win the gold. Chopra set the previous national record with an 88.07-metre throw in March 2021 at Patiala.

The Javelin thrower from Haryana threw 86.92m on his first attempt. Then, on attempt two, he broke his own national record with an 89.30m throw. His next three attempts were fouls while his sixth and last throw was 85.85m.

This was the first competition for the 24-year-old javelin thrower in 10 months. Chopra is India's second individual gold medalist at the Olympics and also the country's first ever gold medalist in athletics.

Chopra will next play in the Kourtane Games in Finland on Saturday.

Also read: IPL 2022: BCCI felicitate Neeraj Chopra and other Tokyo 2020 winners