Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra has pulled out of the upcoming Paavo Nurmi Games which will kick start on June 13 in Finland. The Paavo Nurmi Games is an athletics meet held annually in Turku, Finland since 1957 and is also a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event.
Reports about this development surfaced recently as an updated list of participants, which was without the 25-year-old's name. The updated list of participants for the event was released on the tournament's official website on Friday, June 9. Chopra’s last appearance at Turku was a success as he won a silver medal with a then-national record throw of 89.30m.
Coming back to this calendar, Neeraj Chopra had the perfect start with a victorious Doha Diamond League on May 5 with a throw of 88.67m. But since then injuries have hampered Chopra’s season as he withdrew from the FBK Games as a precautionary measure after suffering a muscle strain.
Addressing this decision, Chopra tweeted about how he had a muscle strain and hoped to make a return in June. "Recently, I sustained a muscle strain during my training. Following a medical evaluation, me and my team have decided to avoid any risks which can aggravate the injury," the world No. 1 wrote on Twitter.
“Unfortunately, it means that I have to withdraw from the FBK Games, in Hengelo. Wishing the organisers and the tournament all the success. Injuries are part of the journey, but it's never easy. I am on the road to recovery, and will aim to be back on the track in June," Neeraj added.