Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra described his performance at the Diamond League final in Zurich on Thursday, August 29, as a “hard day,” despite clinching second place with a clutch final throw of 85.01 meters. Germany’s Julian Weber dominated the event, claiming first with a standout 91.51-meter throw on his second attempt, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist, took third with 84.95 meters.
Chopra, known for his consistent top-two finishes, extended his streak to 26 consecutive events but faced challenges throughout the night. His first throw reached 84.35 meters, placing him third behind Weber’s stunning 91.37-meter opener and Walcott’s 84.95 meters. A weaker second throw of 82 meters kept him in third, followed by three consecutive fouls that jeopardized his streak. However, Chopra rallied with his final throw of 85.01 meters, securing second place as Walcott’s last attempt fell short at 78.05 meters. Weber closed with a solid 88.66 meters, reinforcing his lead.
Reflecting post-event, Chopra said, “Today was a bit of a hard day. There are always harder days in sports, and today was one for me. I managed over 85 meters in my last attempt, but the timing wasn’t ideal. The run-up wasn’t great, and I didn’t find my rhythm. I’ve got three weeks until the World Championships, and I’ll work on finding better timing for my throws.”
The competition saw Weber consistently excel, with two 91-plus-meter throws, while others struggled. Anderson Peters finished fourth with 81.41 meters, followed by Julius Yego at 80.49 meters. Only Weber, Walcott, and Chopra advanced to the final throw, with the rest of the field eliminated.
Chopra, who made history as the first Indian to win the Diamond League final in 2022 at Zurich, has now secured second place in 2023 and 2024, maintaining his reputation for consistency despite Thursday’s challenges.
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