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Neeraj Chopra, the celebrated Indian javelin thrower, is setting his sights on securing his first victory of 2025 at the prestigious Paris Diamond League. This ambition follows his significant achievement of finally breaching the elusive 90-meter mark at the Doha Diamond League earlier in May. Chopra's journey to this milestone has been a long and arduous one, marked by consistent efforts and near misses since he began competing in 2018. The 90-meter barrier had become a psychological hurdle, a dragon he relentlessly chased, representing a significant benchmark in the world of javelin throwing. Achieving a throw of 90.23 meters at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha was a momentous occasion, not just for Chopra personally, but also for his legions of Indian fans who had eagerly awaited this breakthrough. He expressed a sense of relief, stating that the 'burden has been reduced' for both himself and the Indian sporting community. However, despite this remarkable feat, victory eluded him on that day, as Germany's Julian Weber produced a stunning final throw of 91.06 meters to snatch the top spot on the podium. Weber's performance served as a reminder of the intense competition that characterizes the Diamond League circuit, where even achieving personal bests may not guarantee a win. Now, as Chopra prepares to compete in Paris for the first time in eight years, he faces another formidable challenge in a stacked field that includes some of the biggest names in javelin throwing. The Paris Diamond League event represents a crucial opportunity for him to translate his newfound confidence and momentum into a tangible victory.
The Paris Diamond League holds particular significance for Neeraj Chopra as it marks his return to the city where he achieved a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year. He had deliberately skipped the event in the previous year to focus his preparations on the Olympics, highlighting the strategic decisions athletes often make to optimize their performance in major competitions. His last appearance at the Paris Diamond League was as a junior world champion, where he finished fifth with a best throw of 84.67 meters. Since then, Neeraj's stature in the world of athletics has grown exponentially, transforming him from a promising junior into a global icon. His Olympic gold and silver medals have cemented his legacy as one of India's greatest athletes, inspiring a new generation of javelin throwers and sports enthusiasts. The journey from a fifth-place finish as a junior to a potential title contender in Paris reflects his remarkable progress and unwavering dedication to his craft. His preparations for the 2025 season began with a victory at the Potch Invitational Meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April, where he recorded a modest throw of 84.52 meters. While this performance was not spectacular, it served as a valuable warm-up event to shake off any rust and fine-tune his technique. Following this, his first Diamond League appearance in Doha saw him break the 90-meter barrier and finish second behind Weber, setting the stage for a compelling rivalry between the two javelin stars. Their competitive dynamic continued at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland last month, where Weber once again emerged victorious with a throw of 86.12 meters, while Neeraj managed a throw of 84.14 meters in challenging, wet conditions.
Neeraj Chopra's ability to consistently perform at a high level, even in unfavorable weather conditions, underscores his resilience and adaptability. He and his team have seemingly made strategic coaching changes after the end of last season that seem to have had a positive impact. The decision to work with Jan Zelezny, the world record holder in javelin, has provided Neeraj with a fresh perspective and refined technical guidance. Zelezny's vast experience and expertise have undoubtedly contributed to Neeraj's improved performance and confidence. The overarching aim now is to secure that elusive first title of the season, particularly with the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in India just a few weeks away. Winning in Paris would not only boost his morale but also serve as a perfect prelude to competing on home soil in front of his adoring fans. However, the path to victory in Paris is fraught with challenges. The competition is exceptionally strong, with several world-class javelin throwers vying for the top spot. The Indian ace will once again face Julian Weber, who has proven to be a formidable opponent in recent encounters. The lineup also includes other prominent names such as Andersen Peters, Julius Yego, and Keshorn Walcott, making it one of the most competitive javelin fields in recent memory. In fact, out of the eight participants, five have a personal best above 90 meters, highlighting the depth and talent of the field.
Andersen Peters, who achieved the 90-meter mark in 2022, boasts the best personal throw among the eight participants, with an impressive distance of 93.07 meters. He also competed in both the Doha Diamond League and the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland, finishing in the third spot on both occasions. His consistent performance demonstrates his ability to contend for top honors in any competition. The Paris Diamond League organizers have expressed their excitement about the star-studded cast assembled for the event, anticipating that Neeraj Chopra will be the main attraction of the evening. They emphasized the rarity of having a field with five javelin throwers who have all surpassed the 90-meter mark. In a promotional release for the event, they highlighted Neeraj Chopra's exceptional talent and consistency, referring to him as 'as powerful as he is consistent'. The organizers recognize Neeraj's global appeal and his ability to draw large crowds, making him a key figure in promoting the sport of athletics. Following the Diamond League in Paris, Neeraj is scheduled to compete at the Golden Spike athletics meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 24. This event provides another opportunity for him to fine-tune his preparations ahead of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 4. Neeraj will aim to take part in the Classic carrying a title already in his bag.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic represents a significant milestone in Indian athletics, as it marks the first time that a major international athletics event has been named after an Indian athlete. This reflects Neeraj's immense popularity and his contribution to popularizing javelin throwing in India. The competition start list for the Paris Diamond League showcases the caliber of athletes participating in the event. It also provides valuable insights into their recent performances and personal bests. Here is a summary of the start list: Neeraj Chopra: Season Best: 90.23m | Personal Best: 90.23m. Anderson Peters: Season Best: 85.64m | Personal Best: 93.07m. Julian Weber: Season Best: 91.06m | Personal Best: 91.06m. Keshorn Walcott: Season Best: 84.65m | Personal Best: 90.16m. Julius Yego: Season Best: 83.08m | Personal Best: 92.72m. Luiz Mauricio da Silva: Season Best: 86.34m | Personal Best: 86.34m. Andrian Mardare: Season Best: 80.51m | Personal Best: 86.66m. Remi Rougetet: Season Best: 80.49m | Personal Best: 80.49m. This information provides a useful benchmark for comparing the athletes' current form and their potential to achieve significant distances. The men's javelin event at the Paris Diamond League is scheduled to commence at 1:15 am IST (Saturday). Unfortunately, there will be no TV coverage of the event in India. However, fans can watch the live streaming of the event on the Wanda Diamond League YouTube channel.
Source: Paris Diamond League: After breaking 90m jinx, Neeraj Chopra eyes first win in 2025