India, April 17 -- Neeraj Chopra warmed up for the season, hurling the javelin to 84.52m at the Potch Invitational Meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on Wednesday.

The two-time Olympic medallist was easily the best in the six-man field and won the World Athletics meet by quite a distance. South African Douw Smit was the next best with a throw of 82.44m. Chopra looked in nice rhythm and control as he gently paced up on the runway, made a smooth transition to crossover steps and planted his left leg for the block and throw.

Nothing more should be read into Chopra's first act of the season. His first big competition will be the Diamond League in Doha on May 16, where some of the world's best javelin throwers are expected to turn up. The ...