Neeraj Chopra content with performance at 1st event after return to action

PTI

New Delhi, June 15

In a “happy place” after shattering his own national record on his much-anticipated return to action, India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra wants to work more on his technique in order to improve his overall performance.

Chopra made a spectacular return after his Tokyo Olympics heroics with a stunning throw of 89.30 metres to shatter his national record and finished second in a star-studded field at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday.

“I am pleased with my performance. It was my first event of the season, so I am happy to have started the season on a high note. My performance here has boosted my confidence significantly,” Chopra said after the event. “Going forward, I am looking to work on my technique, throw and overall performance. I am in a happy place at the moment and I just want to do well in the upcoming events,” he added.

The 24-year-old’s first competitive event after the Tokyo Olympics was nothing short of extraordinary as he almost touched the coveted 90m mark, considered the gold standard in the world of javelin throw.

Chopra’s effort will take him to the fifth spot in the world season leaders’ list.

His earlier national record was 88.07m, which he had set in Patiala in March last year. He had won the Tokyo Olympics gold with a throw of 87.58m on August 7, 2021.

Chopra has now set his sights on the Commonwealth Games, which begin late next month. “Now, I am aiming for the next few events which would be bigger and of course the Commonwealth Games, where I will face a lot of competition,” he said.

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