India's Olympic and world champion javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra claimed his maiden gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games last week, dominating a stellar field on his return to competitive action following a month-long break. Chopra, who won the silver here in 2022, produced the winning effort of 85.97m in his third attempt to lead the field for a major part of the competition.
The Indian proved himself heads and shoulders above much-hyped 19-year=old German prodigy Max Dehning, who came here as the youngest member of the 90m club but finished a disappointing seventh in the eight-strong field. Dehning could not even breach the 80m mark with 79.84m being his best effort.
Home favourite Toni Keranen claimed the silver medal with a personal best throw of 84.19m, while his compatriot and 2022 gold-medallist Oliver Helander took the third spot with 83.96m.
