Chopra returns to winning ways despite ‘bad slip’
ALLAYING fears of injury during the Kuortane Games in Finland, where he claimed his first win of the year, India’s Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra said he was looking forward to starting his Diamond League season in Stockholm, Sweden, next Thursday (30).
Chopra, 24, had slipped and fallen after his third attempt in Kuortane last Saturday (18). The conditions were treacherous for a javelin competition with a wet and slippery run-up due to rain. But he won the competition with his opening throw – his lone legal attempt – of 86.69m. He took only three attempts, like the second and third-place athletes – Trinidad and Tobago’s 2012 Olympics champion Keshorn Walcott (86.64m) and reigning world champion Anderson Peters (84.75m) of Grenada.
“Tough conditions with the weather, but happy to get my first win of the season here at Kuortane,” Chopra wrote on Instagram. “I am feeling good and looking forward to starting my Diamond League season at @bauhausgalan (Stockholm Diamond League) on the 30th.”
His throw was not as long as the 89.30m effort that gave him second place in the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, in a star-studded field last Tuesday (14), but the win is sure to boost his confidence ahead of the Diamond League.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) also said that “all was well” with Chopra.
“News from Kuortane: All well with @Neeraj_ chopra1 after bad slip on his third attempt. Nothing to worry. Well done #NeerajChopra, congrats for one more top class performance,” AFI tweeted.
Peters, who was beaten by Chopra twice in four days, is leading the charts this season with his hrow of 93.07m while winning gold in the Doha Diamond League last month.
Chopra made a spectacular return to competition after his historic gold in the Tokyo Olympics with his Turku throw to beat his own national record, and nearly touch the coveted 90m mark, considered the gold standard in the world of javelin.