Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra clinched second place at the Zurich Diamond League Final, narrowly missing the coveted title. Germany’s Julian Weber dominated the event, unleashing two throws over 90 meters, with his best at 91.51 meters, to claim the championship. Chopra, a two-time Olympic medalist, recorded a season-best throw of 85.01 meters in the fifth round, securing silver. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, the 2012 London Olympic gold medalist, took bronze with a throw of 84.95 meters.Reflecting on his performance, Neeraj admitted to facing challenges during the competition. “It was a tough day. There are always some difficult days in sport, and today was one of them. Still, I managed to throw over 85 meters in my final attempt. My run-up and timing weren’t perfect, and I felt something was off. But with three weeks left for the World Championships, I’ll work on getting back in rhythm,” he said post-match.
Season Highlights: A Mix of Triumphs and Near Misses
Neeraj’s 2025 season has been a blend of brilliance and close calls. At the Doha Diamond League in May, he breached the 90-meter mark for the first time with a throw of 90.23 meters but settled for silver as Weber’s 91.06 meters stole the show. However, Neeraj bounced back at the Paris Diamond League in June, clinching gold with an 88.16-meter throw, outpacing Weber (87.88 meters) and Brazil’s Mauricio da Silva (86.62 meters).Despite his consistent performances, the Zurich final marked Neeraj’s third consecutive year finishing second in the Diamond League Final. He previously won the prestigious Diamond League trophy in 2022, a highlight of his illustrious career.
What is the Diamond League?
The Diamond League is the pinnacle of track and field competitions, featuring 16 events held annually from May to September. The world’s top athletes compete for ranking points across various meets, with the best qualifying for the final. The winner of each event in the final is awarded the coveted Diamond Trophy and a substantial cash prize.
Next Stop: Defending Gold in Tokyo
Neeraj now sets his sights on the World Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled for September 13–21 in Tokyo. As the reigning Olympic champion, he aims to maintain his golden streak and return to peak form. With three weeks to fine-tune his technique, India’s javelin icon is determined to overcome his recent challenges and shine on the global stage once again.