 "Neeraj Chopra takes a throw during the Doha Diamond League. Image: X/DiamondLeague")
In a landmark moment for Indian athletics, Neeraj Chopra finally breached the elusive 90-meter mark, throwing the javelin to a massive 90.23m in the third round of the Doha Diamond League 2025 on Friday. The throw placed him into an elite club of javelin throwers.
Chopra began the competition in dominant fashion, opening with a world-leading throw of 88.44m on his very first attempt. But it was his third-round effort that stole the show, a towering 90.23m, marking the first time in his career that the Olympic and World Champion had crossed the 90m barrier.
Chopra appeared destined for victory for most of the event, leading a strong lineup that included Anderson Peters and Germany’s Julian Weber. However, the final round brought a twist in the tale. In a stunning finale, Germany’s Julian Weber unleashed a monstrous 91.06m throw, stealing both the victory and the world lead from Chopra in dramatic fashion.
It was Weber’s first 90m-plus effort as well, and he became the 26th javelin thrower to breach the coveted mark. His effort was the world-leading mark this season so far. Two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada was third with his opening throw of 84.65m.
“I am very happy to have breached the 90m mark but it’s a bitter-sweet experience,” Chopra said later.
“My coach Jan Zelezny said today is the day when I can throw 90m. The wind helps and weather is little warm and that helps. I also told Julian that we can throw 90m. I am also happy for him (Julian).
“I believe I can throw farther than this in the coming events. We will work on some aspects and will throw 90m plus again this season,” he added.
The other Indian in the fray, Kishore Jena finished eighth with a below-par throw of 78.60m.
Chopra began the contest with 88.44m, followed by a foul attempt. He then sent his spear past the elusive 90m mark to the collective sigh of relief of the whole country. His next three series were 80.56m, foul and 88.20m.
He first competed in the Doha DL in 2018 when he finished fourth with a best throw of 87.43m.
After winning gold in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, he took the title here in 2023 (88.67m) and finished second in 2024 (88.36m).
(With agency inputs)