Neeraj Chopra Expresses Post-Injury Fear After Uncomfortable Fall During Kuortane’s Game Heading To Diamond League Season Open

Alleviating fears of any injury during the Kuortane Games in Finland, where he won his first win of the year, Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra said he was looking forward to starting the season. Diamond League tournament in Stockholm on June 30.

Chopra, 24, slipped and fell after his third attempt in Kuortane on Saturday. The conditions of a javelin throwing competition were very difficult with the track wet and slippery due to the rain. He lost his balance after releasing the spear on the third attempt and had a nasty fall with his left shoulder hitting the ground.

Chopra won the competition with an opening throw – his only legal attempt – of 86.69m. It took him just three attempts, like second and third place runners-up – Trinidad and Tobago 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott (86.64m) and defending world champion Anderson Peters (84.75m) of Grenada.

“The weather conditions are harsh, but I’m happy to get my first win of the season at Kuortane,” Chopra wrote in an Instagram post.

“I’m feeling good and looking forward to starting my Diamond League season at @bauhausgalan (Stockholm Diamond League) on the 30th.”

The weather conditions are harsh, but I’m happy to get my first win of the season at Kuortane. I’m feeling good and looking forward to starting my Diamond League season at @BAUHAUSGALAN on the 30th.
Thank you for all the messages and support. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/C1ulI0mktN

– Neeraj Chopra (@ Neeraj_chopra1) June 19, 2022

His throw wasn’t as great as his 89.30m effort while second at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, in an all-star pitch on Tuesday but victory is sure to boost confidence. his against the Stockholm Diamond League.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) also said that “all is well” with Chopra.

News from Kuortane: All is well with @Neeraj_chopra1 after that bad slip on his third try. Nothing to worry about. Well done #NeerajChopra, congrats on another show top performer too,” AFI tweeted.

News from Kuortane: All is well @ Neeraj_chopra1 after that bad slip on his third attempt. Nothing to worry about????

Very good #NeerajChopracongrats on another top-notch performance ???? #Indianathletics pic.twitter.com/EaMHJAGi6v

– Indian Athletics Federation (@afiindia) June 18, 2022

Peters, who has been beaten twice by Chopra in four days, is leading the standings this season with a monster throw of 93.07m while winning gold at the Doha Diamond League last month. Chopra’s 89.30m effort in Turku finished fifth of the season.

Chopra made a spectacular comeback from the historic gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics with a stunning 89.30m throw to break his own national record, placing him second at the Paavo Nurmi Games.

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Chopra’s first competitive event in just over 10 months was nothing short of extraordinary as he nearly hit the coveted 90m mark, considered the gold standard in the javelin throwing world.

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