India's Olympic gold medallist and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had a memorable outing on Friday, becoming the first Indian to breach the 90m mark in the sport.
Despite the historic achievement, Chopra missed out on the top podium spot at the Doha Diamond League, where Germany’s Julian Weber stole the show with a massive throw.
Chopra’s previous best was 89.94m, set on June 30, 2022, at the Stockholm Diamond League — a mark that stood as both his personal best and the men’s national record.
In 2024, Chopra came close to breaking the barrier several times, recording his next three best throws in a span of just two weeks. He threw 89.45m and 89.34m during the Lausanne Diamond League final and the Olympic qualification event, respectively. His second-best effort, 89.49m, also came in Lausanne, securing him a second-place finish at the Diamond League meet.
India's world champion and Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had an outing to remember, as he became the first Indian to cross the 90 m mark in the sport on Friday.
However he could not secure the top spot on the podium this time, after a monstrous throw by Germany's Julian Weber at the Doha Diamond League.
Neeraj had the lead till the final round, crossing the 90-m mark with a stupendous throw of 90.23 m, breaking his own national record. However, in the last set of throws, Weber registered a brilliant effort of 91.06 m, dropping Neeraj to second spot. Grenada's Anderson Peters is at number three, with a throw of 85.64 m.
Neeraj had a brilliant start, kickstarting his season with a throw of 88.44 m, with Anderson Peters of Grenada in second place with 85.64 m and Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago at third with 84.65 m.
The superstar Indian's second throw was a foul, but he still managed to maintain his lead. Germany's Julian Weber took third place with a throw of 85.57 m.
However, the third throw by Neeraj helped him touch the coveted 90-m mark, with a monstrous throw of 90.23 m, extending his lead over his other opponents. He also broke his own national record, bettering his 89.94 m throw registered during the Stockholm Diamond League 2022. Julian however, came close, with a throw of 89.06 m.
The fourth throw by Neeraj was of 80.56 m, and the fifth throw was a foul. However, this still kept Neeraj in the lead, with Julian at second spot and Peters at third spot.
However, Neeraj was beaten in the final set of throws, with Weber throwing 91.06 m to outdo the Indian, who finished in second spot with his final throw being 88.20 m.
Despite the historic achievement, Chopra missed out on the top podium spot at the Doha Diamond League, where Germany’s Julian Weber stole the show with a massive throw.
Chopra’s previous best was 89.94m, set on June 30, 2022, at the Stockholm Diamond League — a mark that stood as both his personal best and the men’s national record.
In 2024, Chopra came close to breaking the barrier several times, recording his next three best throws in a span of just two weeks. He threw 89.45m and 89.34m during the Lausanne Diamond League final and the Olympic qualification event, respectively. His second-best effort, 89.49m, also came in Lausanne, securing him a second-place finish at the Diamond League meet.
| Rank | Distance | Competition | Date |
| 1 | 90.23m | Doha Diamond League 2025 | May 16, 2025 |
| 2 | 89.94m | Stockholm Diamond League 2022 | June 30, 2022 |
| 3 | 89.49m | Lausanne Diamond League 2024 | August 22, 2024 |
| 4 | 89.45m | Paris Olympics 2024 – Final | August 8, 2024 |
| 5 | 89.34m | Paris Olympics 2024 – Qualification | August 6, 2024 |
India's world champion and Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra had an outing to remember, as he became the first Indian to cross the 90 m mark in the sport on Friday.
However he could not secure the top spot on the podium this time, after a monstrous throw by Germany's Julian Weber at the Doha Diamond League.
Neeraj had the lead till the final round, crossing the 90-m mark with a stupendous throw of 90.23 m, breaking his own national record. However, in the last set of throws, Weber registered a brilliant effort of 91.06 m, dropping Neeraj to second spot. Grenada's Anderson Peters is at number three, with a throw of 85.64 m.
Neeraj had a brilliant start, kickstarting his season with a throw of 88.44 m, with Anderson Peters of Grenada in second place with 85.64 m and Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago at third with 84.65 m.
The superstar Indian's second throw was a foul, but he still managed to maintain his lead. Germany's Julian Weber took third place with a throw of 85.57 m.
However, the third throw by Neeraj helped him touch the coveted 90-m mark, with a monstrous throw of 90.23 m, extending his lead over his other opponents. He also broke his own national record, bettering his 89.94 m throw registered during the Stockholm Diamond League 2022. Julian however, came close, with a throw of 89.06 m.
The fourth throw by Neeraj was of 80.56 m, and the fifth throw was a foul. However, this still kept Neeraj in the lead, with Julian at second spot and Peters at third spot.
However, Neeraj was beaten in the final set of throws, with Weber throwing 91.06 m to outdo the Indian, who finished in second spot with his final throw being 88.20 m.
