Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra will compete at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland on June 18, the organizers confirmed. Chopra, who begins his road to the Paris Olympics at the Doha Diamond League Meeting on May 10, had won a silver in the 2022 edition of the Paavo Nurmi Games but was forced to withdraw from the 2023 edition as he was recovering from an injury.
“Javelin throw Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will return to Turku in June. Chopra will compete in the Paavo Nurmi Games after a year’s break and will meet a high-quality group of competitors. The competition will take place in Turku on June 18,” said Arttu Salonen, charged with athlete procurement at the Paavo Nurmi Games on their official event website.
Other than Neeraj, the javelin throw competition will also feature 19-year-old sensation Max Dehning, the German who is latest entrant in the 90m throw club.
“The goal is to throw the toughest javelin competition of the summer in Turku before the Paris Olympics. Negotiations with others continue. Naturally, we want top domestic names to cover Turku, led by Oliver Helander (who won gold in 2022 edition with 89.83),” added Arttu.
One of the targets that Neeraj has been pipped against, and one that he has been vocal about over the years, is hitting the elusive 90m mark.
“I am very close to it. I want to hit that throw myself. I believe in the process. Whenever it will happen, it will happen. I am not in a hurry. I am happy with my consistent performances, this is my main focus,” Chopra had said last year.
