Neeraj Chopra says, breaking national record with 89.30m throw has 'boosted my confidence'

Neeraj Chopra. Pic/Getty Images

In a "happy place" after shattering his own national record on his much-anticipated return to action, India's Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra wants to work more on his technique in order to improve his overall performance.

Chopra made a spectacular return to competitive action after his historic gold in the Tokyo Olympics with a stunning throw of 89.30m to shatter his national record and finished second in a star-studded field at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on Tuesday.

‘Pleased with my show'

"I am pleased with my performance. It was my first event of the season, so I am happy to have started the season on a high note. My performance here has boosted my confidence significantly," Chopra said after the event.

"Going forward, I am looking to work on my technique, throw and overall performance. I am in a happy place at the moment and I just want to do well in the upcoming events."

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The 24-year-old Chopra's first competitive event after just over 10 months was nothing short of extraordinary as he nearly touched the coveted 90m mark, considered the gold standard in the world of javelin throw.

Chopra's effort will take him to fifth spot in the world season leaders' list.

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

Preparing for tough CWG

Chopra has now set his sights on this year's Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. "Now, I am aiming for the next few events which would be bigger than this and of course the Commonwealth Games, where I will face a lot of competition," he said.

Chopra's previous national record was 88.07m, which he set in March in Patiala last year. A few months later, on August 7, 2021, Neeraj went on to become the first Indian player to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics with a throw of 87.58m. After Abhinav Bindra, he is only the second Indian player to win an individual gold medal in the Summer Games.

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