Neeraj Chopra opens season with an impressive 84.52m throw in South Africa

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Updated: Apr 17, 2025, 13:42 IST

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Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic champion, launched his season victoriously at the Potch Invitational Track event in South Africa, achieving a throw of 84.52m. While this secured him first place ahead of South African Douw Smit (82.44m), it fell short of his personal best.

Neeraj Chopra

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra commenced this new season with a victory at the Potch Invitational Track event in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Wednesday, throwing 84.52m to top the six-man field under his new coach Jan Zelezny.
The Olympic gold and silver medalist finished ahead of South African Douw Smit, who recorded a throw of 82.44m. Chopra's winning throw was below his personal best of 89.94m, while Smit came close to his personal best of 83.29m.

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Only Chopra and Smit managed to cross the 80m mark in the competition. South African Duncan Robertson secured third place with a throw of 71.22m.

Chopra has been training in Potchefstroom with his new coach Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic, a three-time Olympic champion and world record holder. The 27-year-old recently parted ways with his previous German coach Klaus Bartonietz.
The Indian athlete is set to begin his elite-level campaign at the Doha Diamond League on May 16.
Chopra's impressive career includes back-to-back Olympic medals - gold in Tokyo 2020 and silver in Paris 2024. His personal best of 89.94m was set in 2022, as he continues his pursuit of the elusive 90m mark.

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TOI Sports Desk

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