Kuortane Games: Neeraj Chopra Wins First Gold Since Tokyo Games With A 86.69 Metre Throw

Kuortane Games: Neeraj Chopra Wins First Gold Since Tokyo Games With A 86.69 Metre Throw

New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra made the most of his competitive return as he secured his first gold post his Olympic success with a throw of 86.69m at the Kuortane Games in Finland on Saturday.

Chopra’s first throw was good enough to help him win the gold as Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and world champion Anderson Peters came second and third respectively.

https://twitter.com/OlympicKhel/status/1538203885294485504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Chopra, who won gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo last year, slipped in his third attempt while the second was also not upto the mark. But his first attempt was enough to take him ahead of Walcott and Peters.

The 24-year-old, however, didn’t wish to take a chance on a slippery runway due to rain and skipped his fourth throw, knowing well enough that his first attempt would help him to seal the deal.

“No better feeling than being back on the track! Very happy to start my 2022 season with a Personal Best throw 89.30m. Thank you @paavonurmigames for a great experience and congrats to Oliver Helander for the win. Next stop @KuortaneGames,” Chopra had tweeted earlier after shattering his own national record that placed him second in a star-studded field at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday.

Another Indian athlete, Sandeep Chaudhary finished last with a best throw of 60.35m.