Olympic medal-winning Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra conveyed pride in his reliability after securing his first Diamond League title in two years, narrowly defeating German competitor Julian Weber in a top-tier field.
The 27-year-old clinched victory on Friday night with an outstanding first-round throw of 88.16m, amid a lineup featuring five athletes from the prestigious 90m club.
Chopra continued after his initial attempt with 85.10m, then recorded three straight fouls. He finished with a humble 82.89m on his last try.
Weber, having defeated Chopra in two earlier competitions this season, secured second place with a top throw of 87.88m, achieved in the initial round. Luiz Mauricio da Silva from Brazil secured third place with a throw of 86.62m in the third round.
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Reflecting on the outcome, Neeraj Chopra expressed satisfaction with the start of his competition, attributing his successful opener to a flawless approach and steady rhythm.
He recognized some technical issues during the event, pointing out that his body was veering too much to the left and that he was pushing his chest through the throw, which interrupted his rhythm. Nevertheless, he felt content with surpassing the 88-metre threshold and returning to the podium’s summit after a prolonged absence.
First Title Since Lausanne 2023
Chopra’s triumph was his initial win since Lausanne 2023, where he achieved 87.66m. In the meantime, he had secured second place in six Diamond League events, frequently coming close to the winning position.
This victory also signified his first win in Paris, a place where he had debuted in the Diamond League in 2017. At that time a junior world champion, Chopra finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m.
Zelezny’s Guidance Worked
Chopra also mentioned the beneficial impact of the famed javelin thrower Jan Zelezny, under whom he has been training. He characterized Zelezny as a source of contagious energy and indicated that the Czech icon had assisted in honing his technique—especially by recommending he utilize faster, shorter steps during the crossover phase instead of longer ones. Collaborating with the three-time Olympic champion, Chopra mentioned, had provided him increased confidence and calmness.
