India’s ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, in his first competition after his historic gold at the Tokyo Olympics last year, shattered his own national record with a stunning throw of 89.30m at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday. The 24-year-old settled for Silver at the games. 

On August 7, 2021, Chopra created history by becoming India’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist in athletics with a throw of 87.58m. 

On Tuesday, he opened with an impressive 86.92m before sending the spear to 89.30m. His next three attempts were fouls. He came up with 85.85m in his sixth and final throw.

Watch the 89.30m throw here – 

Neeraj Chopra is now in the fifth spot on the world season leaders’ list. His earlier national record was 88.07m which he had set in Patiala in March last year.

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Meanwhile, Finland’s 25-year-old Oliver Helander won Gold at the Paavo Nurmi Games with a best throw of 89.83m which he produced in his second attempt.

Reigning world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada came third with a best effort of 86.60m. Peters won gold in the Doha Diamond League last month with a 93.07m throw. This was his first defeat after seven wins on the trot this season.

2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago was fourth at the event with a best throw of 84.02m. 

Germany’s Julian Weber (84.02m) and Czech Republic’s Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch (83.91m) were fifth and sixth. Vadlejch had won silver in Doha with a throw of 90.88m.

Also Read: Watch | Neeraj Chopra, other Olympians, felicitated by BCCI ahead of IPL opener

Neeraj Chopra will next take part in the Kourtane Games in Finland on Saturday. He will also take part in the Stockholm leg of the Diamond League later this month.