Neeraj Chopra breached the 90-metre mark for the first time in his career at the 2025 Doha Diamond League on Friday, but the Indian javelin ace had to settle for second place as Germany’s Julian Weber snatched victory with a stunning final-round effort.
Chopra, 26, recorded a personal best and new national record of 90.23 metres on his third attempt at the Qatar Sports Complex.
The two-time Olympic medallist opened his campaign with an impressive 88.40 metres, but it was his third throw that marked a historic moment, surpassing his previous best of 89.94 metres set at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022.
However, the dramatic evening belonged to Weber, who saved his best for last. The German, building steadily throughout the competition, delivered a monstrous 91.06-metre throw in the final round to claim top spot.
Weber’s earlier efforts included 82.83m, 85.57m, 89.06m, 88.05m, and 89.84m — keeping him within striking distance before his decisive throw.
Chopra, making his season debut, had two fouls in the second and fifth rounds, while his remaining efforts measured 80.56 metres and 88.20 metres. His third-round effort briefly gave him the world lead and appeared enough for victory — until Weber’s final response altered the standings.
Earlier in the competition, Chopra led the field with his 88.40-metre opener. Though his rhythm remained consistent, the final standings shifted dramatically in the closing stages, denying him a winning start to his 2025 campaign.
In the same event, India’s Kishore Jena managed to scrape through to the final eight with a second-round effort of 78.60 metres after opening with 68.07 metres. The throw secured him the last qualifying spot for the remaining rounds, but he failed to make a significant impact and did not challenge the leaders.
Despite finishing second, Chopra’s performance was a major milestone, breaking the psychological and competitive barrier of the 90-metre mark — a feat long anticipated in his celebrated career.
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