Neeraj Chopra Makes History with 90m Javelin Throw at Doha Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra's Historic Achievement

India's Olympic gold medalist and world champion javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has made history by becoming the first athlete from India to surpass the 90-meter mark during the Doha Diamond League held on Friday. His impressive throw of 90.23 meters places him in second position, just behind Germany's Julian Weber, who achieved a remarkable throw of 91.06 meters in the final round.

Neeraj's Journey to Success

Neeraj's rise in athletics began with notable victories, including gold medals at the South Asian and World U20 Championships in 2016, along with a silver at the Asian U20 Championships. His breakthrough moment came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, where he became the first Indian javelin thrower to win gold with a throw of 86.47 meters. Later that year, he also secured gold at the Asian Games with a throw of 88.04 meters. His Olympic success on August 7, where he threw 87.58 meters, catapulted him to fame, leading to numerous endorsements and a surge in social media followers.

Historic Firsts in Indian Sports

At the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Neeraj became the first Indian male athlete to win a medal, securing silver with a throw of 88.13 meters. He was the second Indian to medal at this event, following Anju Bobby George's bronze in 2003. In September of the same year, he made history again by becoming the first Indian to win the Diamond League title with a throw of 88.44 meters. The following year, he became India's first athletics world champion in Budapest with a throw of 88.17 meters and successfully defended his Asian Games title in Hangzhou.

As he heads into the Paris Olympics, Neeraj is a favorite to defend his title, although he faced tough competition from arch-rival Arshad Nadeem, who set an Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters.

Overcoming Challenges

After dealing with injuries, Neeraj returned to the sport with renewed vigor. Under the guidance of new coach Jan Zelezny, he achieved the 90-meter milestone at the Doha Diamond League, marking a significant comeback. This accomplishment signifies that Neeraj has achieved nearly everything in his career, with more competitions and potential gold medals ahead.

A Legacy of Fulfillment

While many legendary Indian athletes have left some goals unfulfilled, Neeraj stands out as one who has achieved remarkable success. From Sania Mirza's quest for a singles Grand Slam to Rahul Dravid's World Cup aspirations, several icons have faced challenges in their careers. However, Neeraj has fulfilled his potential, joining the ranks of rare Indian sportspersons who have achieved it all, leaving fans eager for more, including a potential world record.