Neeraj Chopra breaks the national record with a throw of 89.30 meters at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland.

10 months ago, as soon as Neeraj Chopra threw the Javelin in the air, he was convinced that the throw has won the Olympic Gold for him.

On his much-anticipated return to international competition, in Turku on Tuesday, Chopra let out a similar cry as the javelin pierced through the sunny sky of the Finnish city that’s considered the spiritual home of javelin throw.

And just like his throw in Tokyo, he lifted both his arms to celebrate.

This time, it was indeed a National Record.

With only his second throw in international competition since the historic night in Tokyo, Chopra came up with an effort of 89.30m, thus bettering his own national record by more than a meter.

Looking fit and competition-ready after staying out of action for nearly 10 months, more than all his competitors, the gigantic throw helped him finish second on the podium at the Paavo Nurmi Games behind home favorite Oliver Helander, who produced a personal best throw of 89.93m.

World champion Anderson Peters of Grenada was third with a throw of 86.60m.

Chopra, whose first throw traveled a distance of 86.92m, could not manage a legal throw in his third, fourth and fifth attempts before finishing off with a throw of 85.85m.

Yet, the result will come as a massive boost ahead of next month’s World Championships and also an affirmation that he is on the right track to breaching the hallowed 90m-mark.

Chopra’s 89.30 metres on Tuesday was the fifth best throw by an athlete this year.