New Delhi, India’s top javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra set a new record in the Doha Diamond League, breaking the 90-meter barrier for the first time with a personal best of 90.23 meters. Julian Weber of Germany secured the top position with a throw of 91.06 meters in his first Diamond League competition of the season, forcing the Olympic champion to settle for second place despite his incredible accomplishment.

After the tournament, Chopra expressed his disappointment in finishing second and described the experience as “a little bit of a bittersweet” outcome.

The outcome is rather bittersweet. Although I am thrilled to have won the 90-meter race, I also placed second in the competitions in Turku and Stockholm. I consistently came in second with my 89.94 throw. Here, too. Today, I placed second, breaking the national record. However, I’m also thrilled for Julian Weber. We both broke 90m for the first time today when he threw 91. We finally succeeded in doing this after years of effort,” he remarked.

Chopra also spoke candidly about his previous battles with a groin problem that had affected his play in the previous seasons. Over the last three years, I’ve been experiencing constant groin pain. That’s why I didn’t give it my all. I feel so much better this year,” he said.

Chopra is still upbeat and eager for more as the World Championships approach later this year. “I think I can throw more than 90m in the upcoming events this year, and we will also work on some aspects,” he said.

The Doha meet was a major turning point in Chopra’s career, solidifying his status as one of the best in the world and raising hopes for a season that may shatter records.

Chopra’s performance surpassed his previous record of 89.94 meters achieved in June 2022 in Stockholm, making him the first Indian javelin thrower to reach the 90-meter barrier in a world-level competition and setting a new national record for India.

Chopra broke the legendary 90-meter barrier in the javelin throw, something that fans and commentators have been waiting years to see, and ended up coming second at the Doha Diamond League competition on Friday. It was a spectacular night for India’s golden son.

Chopra finally hit the target that had escaped him several times in the previous few years, demonstrating the influence of new coach Jan Zelezny. Dr. Klaus Bartonietz has been replaced as Chopra’s coach by Zelezny, a three-time Olympic gold winner from the Czech Republic.

We put in a lot of work in South Africa, and I’m thrilled to have Jan Zelezny as my coach today. We are still learning some things and working on a few things. He doesn’t usually attend the Diamond Leagues, but he accompanied me because he informed me that today was the day to reach 90 meters,” Chopra added.