Neeraj Chopra Highlights at Paavo Nurmi Games: Neeraj Chopra wins gold with 85.97m throw

Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal with his 85.97m throw, which he registered on his third attempt. Finland finished second and third with Toni Keränen (84.19m) winning silver and Oliver Helander (83.96m) clinching bronze. Here's how the standings look like after the sixth throw in men's javelin. 

India's Neeraj Chopra, looking set to win the gold medal, fouled on his 5th attempt. Lassi Etelätalo began the event with a solid throw of 79.35 meters. Max Dehning struggled, fouling once more. Andrian Mardare made an impressive throw, reaching 82.19 meters. Toni Keränen decided to skip his attempt, while Keshorn Walcott achieved a distance of 78.38 meters. Anderson Peters followed with a throw of 76.97 meters.

Neeraj Chopra manages the 82.21m in his 4th attempt and leads the men's javelin competition.

A terrific show from Neeraj Chopra. Oliver Helander was not able to go past the 84m mark in his third attempt. Max Dehning did not choose to throw in the third round. Here's how the standings look like after the thrid throw in men's javelin. 

The roar is back! Neeraj Chopra lets the javelin fly in the air and roars. The Olympic champion is back in the lead.

He throws 85.97m in his third attempt.

Neeraj is now the only man in the eight-member field to throw over 85m so far at this meet. 

Neeraj Chopra is at the second spot after the end of the seocnd round of throws. Oliver Helander is on top of the pile. 

Toni Keranen and Anderson Peters have been consistent with 81-plus throws in tthe second round. 

Can we see one special throw from Max Dehning? 

Neeraj Chopra could not better his first throw in his second attempt. He threw 83.45m in his second attempt. 

However, home favourite Oliver Helander takes the lead with a throw of 83.96m in his first attempt. 

This is heating up now. 

Neeraj Chopra is the leaderboard with his attempt of 83.62m. 

Toni Keranen took the second spot with a sensational effort of 82.59m.

Teenage star Max Dehning begins with an effort of 79.84m. 

A season-best effort from Keshorn Walcott. The 2012 London Olympics champion starts with an effort of 81.93m, bettering his previous best effort from this year -- 81.11m. 

A good start to this world-class field. 

Two-time world champion Anderson Peters starts with a throw of 82.58m.

Home hero Oliver Helander starts with an effort of 78.38m. 

Lassi Etelatalo starts with 73.84m.

A good start from Neeraj Chopra. He was not at his pacey best during the run-up. However, he comes up with a good release. Not the usual loud cry after the attempt. 

Neeraj registers 83.62m.

It's only going to get better from here. Five more throws left for Neeraj in the day. 

Here's how the Olympic champion is preparing for the big day. 

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem was among the participants until last week. However, the World Championships silver medalist is not part of the entry list. He will not be competing in Finland today. 

Neeraj Chopra will be wary of not putting too much pressure on himself today. It's not about the result today. It's about easing into action and making sure he gets six throws out without much discomfort. Keep in mind, he pulled out of the Golden Ostrava event last month due to a precautionary measure. Neeraj also struggled with the conditions in Bhubaneshwar during the Fed Cup due to the humidity in the city. 

Here is how the 8 competitors stack up for the men's javelin event. Max Dehning has the best throw of the season. 

• 1. Neeraj Chopra (India) - PB: 89.94m, SB: 88.36m
• 2. Anderson Peters (Grenada) - PB 93.07m, SB: 86.62
• 3. Oliver Helander (Finland) - PB: 89.93m, SB: 85.75m
• 4. Lassi Etelatalo (FInland) - PB: 86.44m, SB: 82.20m
• 5. Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad) - PB: 90.16m, SB: 81.11m
• 6. Max Dehning (Germany) - PB and SB: 90.20m
• 7. Toni Keranen (Finland) - PB: 82.89m, SB: 82.77m
• 8. Andrian Mardare (Moldova) - PB: 86.66m, SB: 82.18m

Neeraj Chopra will be up against former world champion Anderson Peters, 2012 Olympic Gold medalist Keshorn Walcott and local favourite and 2022 champion Oliver Helander. Neeraj will also face 19-year-old world leader Max Dehning for the first time in his career. Germany's Dehning had become the youngest man to throw 90m or more in men's javelin earlier in the year.

It will not be an easy ride for Neeraj Chopra as the strong eight-man field will be looking to lay down a marker before the Paris Olympics, starting July 2

Neeraj last competed in the Fed Cup in Bhubaneshwar on May 15. Neeraj won the Gold in the national meet with a best effort of 82.27, far from his personal best. Neeraj would want to return to form and inch closer to the 90m mark, which he has set his sights on in 2024. Neeraj had begun the season in the Doha Diamond League in May when he finished second with a best effort of 88.36m.

Follow all the updates from the men's javelin event at Paavo Nurmi Games here. 

1. Where: Paavo Nurmi Stadium, Turku, Finland
2. Time: 9:00 PM onwards (Men's Javelin from 9:45 pm IST)
3. Live streaming in India: JioCinema
4. TV broadcast in India: Sports18 - 1 HD

Neeraj Chopra will make a much-awaited return to action at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku. Neeraj Chopra will take the field for the first time since the Fed Cup in May. The Olympic champion had pulled out from Ostrava Golden Spike due to an injury scare. Neeraj later confirmed that it was a precautionary measure and not an injury concern. 

Welcome back, champion!