Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, showcased his exceptional skills once again as he clinched the top spot at the Lausanne Diamond League on Friday. With a best throw of 87.66m in his fifth attempt, Chopra notched his second Diamond League victory of the year, solidifying his position as one of the world’s premier javelin throwers.
The Lausanne Diamond League marked a triumphant return to competition for Chopra, who had been sidelined since the Doha Diamond League in May due to an injury. Having withdrawn from the FBK Games and Paavo Nurmi Games earlier in the month, he was eager to make a strong comeback and prove his mettle.The event kicked off with Germany’s Julian Weber setting the early pace with a remarkable 86.20m throw in his first attempt, while Chopra struggled to find his rhythm. His first two attempts fell short of his usual standards, with distances of 0m and 83.52m, respectively. This forced Chopra into unfamiliar territory, having to play catch-up in the latter part of the competition.
However, the Indian javelin star remained composed and focused. With his third attempt, Chopra registered an 85.04m throw, propelling him into second place. Determined to secure victory, he saved his best for the crucial moment. In his fifth attempt, Chopra unleashed a massive 87.66m throw, vaulting him into the lead, a position he successfully maintained until the end of the event.
Despite a valiant effort by Weber and Jakub Vadlejch in their final attempts, with throws of 87.03m and 86.13m respectively, they couldn’t surpass Chopra’s remarkable mark. His victory at Lausanne further solidifies his position as a force to be reckoned with in the world of javelin throw.
Following the event, Neeraj Chopra expressed his relief and satisfaction with his performance, stating, “I was feeling a bit nervous coming back from an injury. It was a bit cold here tonight. I am still far from my best, but I feel it is getting better. I am relieved it’s coming together well for me. A win is a win, and I will take that happily.”
With two Diamond League javelin events completed this year, Chopra currently leads the standings with 16 points, followed by Vadlejch with 13 points and Weber with 12 points. The remaining three javelin events in the Diamond League will take place in Monaco (July 21), Zurich (August 31), and Eugene (September 17), where Chopra will aim to continue his exceptional form and maintain his position at the top.
While it was a memorable night for Neeraj Chopra, the same cannot be said for Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar. Sreeshankar finished fifth in the long jump event at the Lausanne Diamond League, with his best jump measuring 7.88m. Although he remains third in the Diamond League long jump standings, his accumulated 10 points thus far are considerably behind the leader, Mitliadis Tentoglou, who has amassed an impressive 21 points.
As the athletics season progresses, fans around the world eagerly anticipate Neeraj Chopra’s future performances. His consistent success and undeniable talent continue to elevate him to new heights, and he remains a shining star in the realm of javelin throw.
