Zurich: Neeraj Chopra, the world champion and Olympic javelin thrower, maintained his streak of top two placements at events by winning the second position. With a greatest throw of 85.01 meters during the Diamond League final in Zurich on Thursday.
Julian Weber of Germany won the competition with a massive throw of 91. 51 meters, which he made on his second attempt. In his first two attempts, he made two significant 91plus throws. Neeraj did not have a particularly good night, beginning with two throws in the early 80s and then three terrible fouls, costing him a top-two position. His winning streak was in jeopardy, but he made a crucial final throw of more than 85 meters to extend his top-two finish streak to 26 straight tournaments. Keshorn Walcott, Trinidad and Tobago's 2012 London Olympics gold medalist, came in third with a best throw of 84.95 meters.
Neeraj's first effort was 84.35 meters. But it was Germany's Julian Weber, the previous European Champion, who topped the rankings with a spectacular throw of 91.37 meters that stunned the audience. Also, Keshorn Walcott, a 2012 London Olympics gold medalist, finished second with a throw of 84.95 meters, while Neeraj took third position. Anderson Peters was fourth (81.41m), followed by Julius Yego (80. 49m).
Neeraj's second throw was even worse, at 82 meters. Julian remained in command at the top, with a huge throw of 91.51 meters in his second try, outperforming his first. Neeraj, on the other hand, remained in third place after the second round.
Julian and Neeraj both received a nomark in their third attempt, leaving their first and third positions in the standings unchanged at the conclusion of the third round.
Neeraj's fourth attempt was likewise ruled a foul, jeopardizing his unbroken streak of top two finishes in the previous four years, totaling 25 events. Weber maintained his first position after tossing 83.66 meters in his fourth attempt following a foul, with Keshorn in second place and Neeraj in third.
Neeraj's dreadful foul streak continued with throw five, jeopardizing his proud top-two position even further. Weber delivered an 86.45m toss in the fifth round, keeping him in first position. Only Weber, Keshorn, and Neeraj were granted the opportunity to make one final throw, which had the potential to upset the table, while the rest of the field was removed.
Neeraj's final throw measured 85.01 meters, placing him second overall. Keshorn's final throw of 78. 05 meters guaranteed Neeraj's second-place result. Weber's final effort was a respectable 88.66 meters, bringing an end to a remarkable performance for him.
Neeraj qualified for the Diamond League final in 2022 at the same location, becoming the first Indian to achieve so. It was followed by two runner-up results in 2023 and 2024.
So far, the Indian sensation has had a terrific 2025 campaign.
Chopra won the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, a event created in his honor at the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru last month. The javelin throw champion celebrated with an effort of 86.18m.
Neeraj began the season with a victory at the Potch Invitational in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April, and followed it up with a really unique Second-place finish at the Doha Diamond League in May, when he shattered the 90-meter barrier for the first time, with a throw of 90.23 meters.
He also finished second in the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland later that month, and his winning ways continued with Back-to-back titles at the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike, with personal bests of 88.16m and 85.29m.
Neeraj will now attempt to defend his global championship at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13–21. Neeraj had won the gold in the previous edition, finishing ahead of Nadeem and becoming the first Indian to do so at the main event.
