Watch: Neeraj Chopra recreates his Olympic gold-winning celebration as he breaks national record at Paavo

Paavo Nurmi Games: India's golden boy Neeraj Chopra in his first international appearance since the Tokyo Olympics medal win in August 2021, broke the national record with an 89.30-meter throw at Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland. Chopra had his arms aloft as soon as he threw and the celebration resembled that of the Olympics throw of 87.58 meters.
Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra broke his own national record at Paavo Nurmi Games and the celebration resembled that of Olympics gold medal win | File Image (AP)

KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Neeraj Chopra broke his own national record with a stunning 89.30-meter throw at Paavo Nurmi Games
  • Neeraj finished with a silver medal at Paavo Nurmi Games
  • The 24-year-old's celebration reminded everyone of what he did after the 87.58-meter throw in Tokyo Olympics
India's golden boy Neeraj Chopra broke the national record at Paavo Nurmi Games with a stunning throw of 89.30 meters in his second attempt as he finished with a silver medal in Finland. Chopra bettered his own record of 88.07 meters which he achieved in Patiala last year.
In his first international appearance since August 7, 2021 when he won the gold medal at Tokyo Olympics, Chopra started with an opening throw of 86.92 meters, however, he soon got his rhythm as he threw the next one at 89.30 metres. Chopra's throw took him to the fifth spot on the list of world leaders.
As soon as Chopra threw the javelin in his second attempt, he knew he got a reasonable strength and distance on it as he had his arms aloft with a huge shout. The celebration resembled that of his 87.58-meter throw at the Olympic games as the 24-year-old had his arm aloft as soon as he threw and at that time he didn't even look at the throw. But little did Chopra know that this one was farther than the one at the Tokyo games.
The throw helped him not only in achieving a new national record but a podium finish as well, as he won the silver medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games. Chopra's 89.30 was just behind the Finnish star Oliver Helander's personal best of 89.93 meters, who won the gold medal. Grenada's Anderson Peters came third with a throw of 86.60 meters.
After the 89.30-meter throw, Chopra's next three attempts were a foul before he finished with a couple of throws of 85.85 meters on the sixth and the final attempts.
Chopra scripted history at the Paavo Nurmi Games, a gold event in World Athletics, which is considered one of the biggest track-and-field competitions outside the Diamond League. Chopra will next compete at Kuortane Games in Finland before he moves to the Stockholm leg of the Diamond League in Sweden.
End of Article