11.59 pm: Next up for Neeraj Chopra is the Kuortane Games, also in Finland, on 18 June.
11.50 pm: First event after Tokyo, Neeraj Chopra’s first attempt was a cool 86.92m. Then, just as it happened that night in Japan, the 2nd throw was the best of the event. But also best of his career, best by an Indian. 89.30m. Good to have you back, champ!
Neeraj Chopra’s attempts: 86.92, 89.30 (NR, PB), X, X, X, 85.85
Men’s javelin throw: Neeraj finishes ahead of Peters, Weber, Walcott, Vadlejch on his return to action... and just improves his National Record while he was at it. A superb PB stood b/w him and top spot. No one takes the Mustang though
Paavo Nurmi Games / M Javelin final
| Rk | Name / Club | Nat | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oliver HelanderOulun Pyrintö | FIN | 89,83 | PB |
| 2 | Neeraj ChopraIndia | IND | 89,30 | NR |
| 3 | Anderson PetersGrenada | GRN | 86,60 | |
| 4 | Keshorn WalcottTrinidad and Tobago | TTO | 84,02 | |
| 5 | Julian WeberGermany | GER | 84,02 | |
| 6 | Jakub VadlejchCzech Republic | CZE | 83,91 | |
| 7 | Lassi EtelätaloJoensuun Kataja | FIN | 82,63 | |
| 8 | Toni KuuselaKuortaneen Kunto | FIN | 80,35 | SB |
| 9 | Toni KeränenLimingan Niittomiehet | FIN | 78,70 | |
| 10 | Andreas HofmannGermany | GER | 76,19 |
Men’s javelin throw: And so it finishes in Turku. An absolute beast of a personal best by Helander was the difference between Neeraj and gold medal but the national record-effort is a superb start for the Olympic champion in his first event in 10 months.
Men’s javelin throw: Neeraj likes final throw, turns around with his arms up... it’s an 85.85 to finish. Perhaps he expected a bit more but the Indian star has crossed 85m with three of his legitimate attempts. That is superb. He will finish on 2nd spot.
Men’s javelin throw: The final attempts are underway. And with only Neeraj and Helander left, a top two finish is assured for the Indian. Peters’ last attempt is 85.23m.
Men’s javelin throw: Another X from Neeraj for his 5th attempt. Remains in second spot.
Men’s javelin throw: Fifth attempts underway. Peters goes to his best of the day with 86.60m. Still third overall.
Men’s javelin throw: No visuals yet, but the 4th attempt from Neeraj is also X. Peters, Walcott, Weber all behind him still.
Men’s javelin throw: Helander still leading the way in this one. An X for Peters too in the third attempts.
Men’s javelin throw: The third attempt dips significantly towards the end and Neeraj Chopra doesn’t like, steps past the line. It goes as an X next to his name.
Men’s javelin throw: second attempts done and Neeraj is second only to that new monster PB from Helander. Anderson Peters still seems to be warming up but he is around the mark too.
Men’s javelin throw: NATIONAL RECORD AGAIN! NEERAJ CHOPRA, wow. 89.30m.
Men’s javelin throw: New leader. Finland’s Oliver Helander goes to a new personal best of 89,83
Men’s javelin throw: 2019 World Champion Anderson Peters has been the form athlete so far this year, and he starts off with a solid 84.65 too. Placed second for now. Weber with 84.04.
Men’s javelin throw: That is a really solid way start the season by the Olympic champion. Looked pumped after the throw. Here’s a look at the standing as things are.
Men’s javelin throw: Here he is, and it is a 86.92 from Neeraj Chopra to start off! BRILLIANT.
Men’s javelin throw: The event is underway even if we haven’t yet seen visuals. The first attempt is by Toni Keränen and then Lassi Etelätalo. They go 75.74m and 74.29m to start off.
Here’s the starting list:
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland. The 2022 World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series continues in Turku but for Indian athletics fans this event marks the start of something special. The return of Neeraj Chopra to competitive action after the highs of Tokyo Olympics.
...with so much talk about the pressure of being an Olympic champion, Neeraj signed off from his interaction with the media in May on a light-hearted, yet, important note. “Ten months have passed. I am also excited more than anything to just return to competition, to see how I go. Pressure hai ki nahi aur responsibility hai ki nahi, sach mein tabhi pata chalega whether these things are there or if I will be able to perform the way I did before. Let’s see on the field.”