Neeraj Chopra injury-free after Kuortane Games slip, looks forward to Stockholm Diamond League

New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra has confirmed he is feeling good after slipping at the Kuortane Games in Finland on Saturday before claiming gold medal with an 86.69 metre throw. The 24-year-old Olympic Champion said he is looking forward to kick off his Diamond League season in Stockholm on June 30.

The 24-year-old Chopra slipped after his third attempt in Kuortane on Saturday. The conditions were treacherous for a javelin throw competition with a wet and slippery run-up due to rains. He lost his balance after releasing the spear in his third attempt and had a nasty fall with his left shoulder hitting the turf.

Chopra won the competition with his opening throw — his lone legal attempt — of 86.69m. He took only three attempts, just like second and third-place finishers — Trinidad and Tobago’s 2012 Olympics champion Keshorn Walcott (86.64m) and reigning world champion Anderson Peters (84.75m) of Grenada.

“Tough conditions with the weather, but happy to get my first win of the season here at Kuortane,” Chopra wrote in an Twitter.

“I am feeling good and looking forward to starting my Diamond League season at @bauhausgalan (Stockholm Diamond League) on the 30th.” His throw was not as big as the 89.30m effort while finishing second in the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, in a star-studded field on Tuesday but the win will surely boost his confidence ahead of the Stockholm Diamond League.

Tough conditions with the weather, but happy to get my first win of the season here at Kuortane. I'm feeling good and looking forward to kicking off 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

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

“News from Kuortane: All well with @Neeraj_chopra1 after that bad slip on his third attempt. Nothing to worry. Well done #NeerajChopra, congrats for one more top class performance,” the AFI tweeted.

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

Well done #NeerajChopra, congrats for one more top class performance 👏 #Indianathletics pic.twitter.com/EaMHJAGi6v

— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) June 18, 2022

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