26 and counting: Neeraj Chopra second best in Diamond League 2025 Final, but extends his astounding record

Neeraj Chopra had a disappointing outing in the Diamond League Final 2025 as he finished second, 6.5m behind the winner Julian Weber. Chopra had not won the Diamond League since 2022, and after finishing second in the last two years, only the top of the podium mattered in the 2025 final at the Letzigrund Stadium in Zurich, Switzerland.

But Neeraj struggled with his run-up and couldn't find his rhythm as he managed a best throw of 85.01m, which was also on the last attempt. In contrast, Germany’s Weber began the final with a massive 91.37m and hit his best 91.57m on the second attempt to clinch the trophy.

Neeraj secures 26th consecutive top-two finish

Nonetheless, Neeraj was good enough to finish second, just ahead of Keshorn Walcott (84.95m). This was Neeraj’s 26th consecutive top-two finish, which also includes his Tokyo Olympics gold medal win in 2021, World Championships victory in 2023 and Paris Olympics silver last year.

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The last time Neeraj did not finish in the top-two of a javelin event was at the Kourtane Classic in June 2021, where he came third.

In the 2025 season, Neeraj came first at the NC Classic Paris Diamond League and Potch Invitational Meet. His next big target would be the World Athletics Championships that will take place in Tokyo next month.

“This was not too bad. But we are getting very close to the world championships, so I still need to throw a little bit further,” Chopra said after the Diamond League Final 2025. “There were a few things that went well, but still, there were things that did not go that well. The run-up was not so good. There is something I didn’t find today.”

“In the last attempt, I still managed to throw 85. But I am very happy for Julian today — he managed to throw really far, and to show 91m was really good. We will see in three weeks,” Chopra said.