Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra finally shattered the long-awaited 90-metre barrier at the Doha Diamond League with a personal best of 90.23m, becoming only the third Asian and 25th athlete ever to achieve the feat.
However, despite the milestone, Chopra finished second, as Germany’s Julian Weber stole victory with a dramatic 91.06m throw in the final round.
Competing at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium on May 16, the 27-year-old Olympic gold medallist looked in peak form during his third attempt, surpassing the mark he had chased for five years. The achievement was all the more impressive considering his past struggles with a persistent groin injury, which had hampered his performance in recent seasons.
“This is just the beginning of a long season,” Chopra said after the event. “Crossing 90m feels amazing, though it’s bittersweet to not win. But I’m healthy now and working closely with my coach Jan Železný, and I believe there’s more to come.”
Železný, a Czech javelin legend, began formally coaching Chopra in November, with full-time collaboration starting this February. The coach had predicted a 90m throw before the event and remains confident Chopra can go even farther this season.
Chopra credited favourable conditions in Doha, including warm weather and helpful wind, for aiding his throw. He also shared that both he and Weber had motivated each other to break the 90m mark. “I’m happy for Julian too. We’ve been pushing each other for years to get here.”
Weber, whose final throw marked the best in the world this season, became the 26th athlete to cross 90m. “It was a perfect day,” he said. “Neeraj and I both crossed a milestone. It was very special.”
Two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada finished third with a throw of 84.65m.
As Chopra sets his sights on the World Championships in Tokyo this September, he remains optimistic. “We’ll keep refining my technique. I feel good and I’m ready to go beyond 90m again,” he said.
