Neeraj Chopra Shatters 90-Meter Barrier at Doha Diamond League: A Historic Moment!

Neeraj Chopra's Historic Achievement

New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra, India's renowned javelin thrower, showcased an outstanding performance at the Doha Diamond League, securing second place with a remarkable throw of 90.23 meters. This achievement marks his first successful attempt beyond the 90-meter threshold. Julian Weber from Germany took the lead with a throw of 91.06 meters, narrowly surpassing Chopra in a thrilling competition.

Weber's throw not only set a personal record for him but also established the leading distance for the current season. Anderson Peters from Grenada finished third with a throw of 85.64 meters, while Keshom Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago came in fourth with 84.65 meters.

It was indeed a memorable evening for Chopra, as he accomplished a feat that fans and experts had eagerly anticipated for years—breaking the elusive 90-meter barrier in javelin throw, ultimately finishing second at the Doha Diamond League event.

During the 2025 Doha Diamond League, the two-time Olympic medalist launched his javelin to an impressive distance of 90.23 meters on his third attempt, taking the lead and electrifying the stadium atmosphere. This achievement makes him the first Indian javelin thrower to surpass the 90-meter mark in an international competition, setting a new National Record for India, surpassing his previous record of 89.94 meters established in June 2022 in Stockholm.

This milestone transcends mere numbers. For years, the 90-meter mark had represented a significant challenge for Chopra—a distance he had approached multiple times, often falling short with throws in the high 88s and 89s.

Despite his Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, World Championship gold in Budapest, and dominance in the Diamond League, one lingering question remained: When would Neeraj surpass 90 meters?

That question has now been decisively answered.

In front of a packed audience and a competitive field featuring elite throwers, Chopra delivered when it mattered most.

The influence of his new coach, Jan Zelezny, was evident as Chopra finally achieved the milestone he had pursued for years. Recently, he appointed the three-time Olympic gold medalist Zelezny from the Czech Republic as his coach, replacing Dr. Klaus Bartonietz.

After a cautious start with an initial throw of 88.44 meters followed by a foul, Chopra unleashed a phenomenal throw on his third attempt—his javelin soaring through the Doha night sky and landing beyond the coveted 90-meter mark. The crowd erupted in cheers, and social media buzzed with excitement as the throw was officially recorded at 90.23 meters.

With this throw, Neeraj joins the elite ranks of javelin throwers who have surpassed the 90-meter mark, including reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan, solidifying his status as one of the sport's legends. The joy and relief on his face were palpable—this was more than just a number; it was a personal triumph.

Chopra fouled on his fourth attempt, and just when it seemed he might secure another victory in a Diamond League event, Weber surged ahead with a spectacular throw. Chopra was unable to improve his best effort in his sixth and final attempt, finishing with 88.20 meters, thus settling for second place.

This result alleviates the pressure of crossing the 90-meter mark, allowing the Indian star to focus on defending his World Championship title and aiming to reclaim the Olympic gold medal in Los Angeles in 2028.

In contrast, India's Asian Games silver medalist Kishore Kumar Jena had a disappointing outing, failing to reach the 80-meter mark and finishing eighth among 11 competitors with a best throw of 78.60 meters.