‘Felt nervous coming back from injury… still far from my best’: Neeraj Chopra says after winning at Lausanne Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra admitted he was feeling nervous after claiming victory in the men’s javelin throw event at the Lausanne Diamond League meet late on Friday night in what was his comeback from injury.
“I was feeling a bit nervous coming back from an injury. It was a bit cold here tonight. I am still far from my best, but I feel it is getting better. I am relieved it´s coming together well for me. A win is a win and I will take that happily,” Chopra told organisers after his win.
He went on to add: “I wanted to win so I’m super happy with the results but I also want to go back to training and fix some of the things that I noticed and that are going to make me stronger. Lausanne always treats me well. Last year I won and this year too, so I look forward to coming again next year and win again! The next competition, Budapest, will be a big one for me!”
Meanwhile, Murali Sreeshankar ended fifth in the men’s long jump event with a best effort on the night of 7.88m, way below his season and personal best of 8.41m. Sreeshankar, who had clinched the third spot in the Paris leg on June 9 for his maiden Diamond League podium finish, had produced a career-best 8.41m during the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar earlier this month. But the 24-year-old could not replicate those results in Lausanne.
Chopra, returning to competitive action after a month’s injury layoff because of a muscle strain, uncharacterically fouled his first throw even as Germany’s Julian Weber took control of the event with his first throw of 86.20m. Despite the false start, Chopra managed to make improvements with 83.52m and 85.04m throws in his second and third attempts. After fouling his fourth throw, he pulled out a massive throw of 87.66m to leapfrog into the lead with just one throw left. While Weber threw 87.03m in his final throw, Chopra ended the night victorious.
“I feel really good even though I know that I can give so much more of myself. I’m in fantastic shape and there’s still a lot to achieve and to perform better. I’m a bit disappointed because I could have given more, but still I made it to the 2nd place so it’s great!” said the German.