Neeraj Chopra Achieves Milestone at Doha Diamond League
Neeraj Chopra's Remarkable Performance
Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra made headlines by surpassing the 90-meter mark with a throw of 90.23 meters during the Doha leg of the Diamond League on Friday. Despite his impressive performance, he finished in second place behind Germany's Julian Weber, who achieved a throw of 91.06 meters in his final attempt. Until that point, Chopra was leading the competition. Weber's achievement marked his first throw over 90 meters, making him the 26th athlete globally to reach this milestone. Two-time world champion and bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, Anderson Peters from Grenada, secured third place with a throw of 84.65 meters.
Prime Minister Modi's Praise
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his admiration for Neeraj Chopra's achievement of throwing 90.23 meters, attributing this success to his unwavering dedication, discipline, and passion. On social media, Modi stated, "India is very happy and proud." Chopra's throw at the Doha Diamond League not only placed him second but also made him the third Asian and the 25th athlete worldwide to throw over 90 meters. Modi congratulated him on this remarkable accomplishment and encouraged him to aim for even greater distances in future competitions.
Chopra's Reflections on His Performance
After the event, Chopra shared his mixed feelings about crossing the 90-meter barrier, describing it as a bittersweet experience. He mentioned that his coach, Jan Zelezny, had predicted he could achieve this distance. The favorable wind conditions and warmer weather contributed to his performance. Chopra also expressed his excitement about the possibility of throwing even further in upcoming tournaments, stating, "We will work on some aspects and aim to surpass 90 meters again this season."
Celebrating a Historic Achievement
A spectacular feat! Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for breaching the 90 m mark at Doha Diamond League 2025 and achieving his personal best throw. This is the outcome of his relentless dedication, discipline and passion. India is elated and proud. @Neeraj_chopra1 pic.twitter.com/n33Zw4ZfIt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 17, 2025