Neeraj Chopra pockets second gold on his European tour

One of India’s medal hopefuls at the Tokyo Olympics, Neeraj Chopra, continued his build-up to the Summer Games with another gold medal on Tuesday. 

Competing at the Karlstad leg of the Folksam Grand Prix, the Indian javelin thrower managed a distance of 80.96 metres for the top prize but was visibly disappointed with his performance on a wet evening in the Swedish city.

Iceland’s Sindri Hrafn Guðmundsson was second with a throw of 76.39 metres while his compatriot Dagbjartur Dadi Jónsson took the bronze medal with an effort of 76.32 metres.

Heading out last in a six-competitor field, Neeraj Chopra started with a 79.07 metres throw in his first attempt and 80.96 metres in the second. He then followed it with three foul attempts and a 77.48 metres throw in the sixth.

Neeraj Chopra had thrown the spear 83.18 metres at the Meeting Cidade de Lisboa in Lisbon, Portugal last week. It was his first international tournament in 18 months.

The 23-year-old Neeraj kicked off his Olympic year with a national record throw of 88.07 metres at the third Indian Grand Prix in March before following it up with another impressive 87.80 metres at the Federation Cup. Both events were held in Patiala.

Neeraj Chopra will next head for the Kuortane Games -- a bronze label event on the World Athletics Continental Tour -- in Kuortane, Finland on June 26.

The Asian champion will be in for some stiff competition at the Kuortane meet with former world champion Johannes Vetter of Germany and the 2012 London Olympics gold-medallist Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago in the mix.