Two-time Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra completed runner-up within the Diamond League Finals for the third time in a row as Julian Weber of Germany lifted his maiden trophy with two 90m-plus throws in a commanding present in Zurich on Thursday (August 28, 2025).
Chopra was mendacity third until the fifth spherical following his opening throw of 84.35m earlier than his ultimate effort of 85.01m took him to the second spot, overtaking 2012 London Olympics gold winner Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago who ended third with 84.95m.
Weber achieved a season world main throw of 91.57m, his private greatest, in his second try. He started with 91.37m effort, and after that it was a one-man present within the seven-man subject.
None of Weber’s rivals might even come close to his mark, as his greatest effort of the day was over 6m greater than that of Chopra. The German had a foul, 83.66m, 86.45m and 88.66m after his second throw.
Clearly, Chopra was not at his greatest within the season’s Diamond League grand finale. He had three authorized throws out of the six makes an attempt.
Identified for his consistency in producing 88m-plus throws, it was a uncommon occasion of the 27-year-old Indian star simply with the ability to contact the 85m mark.
He hoped to regain the trophy he had received in 2022, however ended up ending second for the third time after 2023 and 2024.
Defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada was fourth with 82.06m.
Chopra was not his standard self as he started with 84.35m after which adopted it up with 82m and a foul. He was at third spot on the midway stage, and he fouled his fourth and fifth makes an attempt earlier than developing with a 85.01m effort in his final throw.
“This was not too dangerous. However we’re getting very near the world championships, so I nonetheless have to throw a bit bit additional. There have been just a few issues that went properly, however nonetheless, there have been the issues which didn’t go that properly,” Chopra stated after the occasion.
“Within the final try, I nonetheless managed to throw 85. However I’m very pleased for Julian as we speak – he managed to throw actually far, and to point out 91m was actually good. We are going to see in three weeks.
“I nonetheless want to coach a bit bit. On this sport, we have no idea. It relies on the day.”
Chopra stated every part “will likely be completely different” in Tokyo through the World Championships (September 13-21).
“Julian, he is an effective good friend of mine and I’m all the time pleased when he’s doing properly and we push one another. There will likely be some associates from India coming to cheer for me in Tokyo.
“I’ve some associates who dwell there. At main championships, the gold is extra necessary than the far throws. So I’ll attempt my greatest to win the medal.”
Weber’s effort was additionally his third 90m-plus throw of the season in addition to his profession. He had breached the coveted 90m mark with a 91.06m throw whereas profitable the Doha DL title on Could 16.
Chopra additionally breached the 90m mark for the primary time in Doha with a throw of 90.23m however completed second behind Weber.
Chopra will now head to Tokyo for subsequent month’s World Championships because the defending champion.
Weber 3-1 in opposition to Chopra in head-to-head this season
With Thursday’s title, Weber prolonged head-to-head document in opposition to Chopra to 3-1 this season. The German had earlier overwhelmed Chopra to second place in Doha DL in Could and ORLEN Janusz Kusocinski Memorial occasion in Chorzow, Poland, the identical month.
Chopra received in Paris DL in June with Weber ending second.
Nonetheless, Chopra leads Weber in general head-to-head document by a large margin of 15-5 in competitions involving the duo since 2016.
For the document, Chopra had not completed exterior second place since June 2021.
He had skipped the Silesia and Brussels legs of DL on August 16 and August 22 respectively, however certified for the Finals right here in fourth spot with 15 factors. The highest six within the factors desk from the 4 conferences qualify for the Finals in Zurich.
There have been 4 Diamond League conferences which featured males’s javelin throw, and Chopra competed in solely two — in Doha in Could and Paris in June. He had completed second in Doha and received the title in Paris.
Chopra’s final occasion was the NC Basic in Bengaluru on July 5 which he hosted and received with a throw of 86.18m.
Revealed – August 29, 2025 08:31 am IST