Neeraj Chopra throws season best 89.49m, finishes 2nd in Diamond League

Mangalore Today News Network

Switzerland, August 23, 2024: Neeraj Chopra put on a gritty performance at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 22, Thursday as he finished 2nd with a season-best throw of 89.49 m. Neeraj, who had won silver at the Paris Olympics, wasn’t at his best but found the will in the final attempt to produce his best attempt and make it to the second spot and miss the 90 m once again by a whisker. Anderson Peters seemed to be the best on the day as he broke the meeting record and finished in first place with a 90.61 m throw.

Jakub Vadlejch and Neeraj seemed to struggle with conditions on the day as the Czech Republic thrower finished a disappointing 7th in the end. Neeraj had started off with a throw of 82.10 and was in 4th spot at the end of round 1. Anderson Peters had taken the early lead at that point with a phenomenal throw of 86.36, while Jakub Vadlejch looked to be struggling initially.

The second attempt was better from the Indian ace as he got back into the top 3 with an 83.21 m throw. Peters would then hit 88.49 m while Julian Weber closely followed him with 87.08 as the duo slowly started to pull away from the rest of the pack. Ukraine’s Artur Felfner hit 83.38 as Neeraj slipped once again to 4th spot.

The third throw from Neeraj was only 83.13 m as he was now in danger of slipping further down in the rankings. However, he remained in top 4 but the throws still remained well-below his standards. The 4th one was 82.34 m as he remained in the same spot.

The 5th attempt saw Neeraj get his best throw in and hit 85.58 m to move into the top 3. The final attempt would have only the top 3 and Peters finished off in fine style as he shattered the meeting record with 90.61 m throw. Neeraj would then produce his season best with an 89.49 m throw and leapfrog Weber to the second spot. The German ended up in the 3rd spot in the end.

This was Neeraj’s second-best throw of his career, as he surpassed the 89.45 m throw at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Results:

Neeraj Chopra Full series: 82.10 83.21 83.13 82.34 85.58 89.49

Neeraj to turn attention to Zurich

Neeraj Chopra has always shone in Lausanne. The double Olympic medalist won the Lausanne Diamond League in 2022 with an effort of 87.66m and finished on the top step of the podium in 2023 with 89.08m.

Neeraj’s 2nd finish in Lausanne on Thursday also vaulted him into the top 3 in the Diamond League standings in the 2024 season. Neeraj was in the fourth spot with 7 points after having finished second in Doha earlier in the season. Neeraj won the Diamond Trophy in 2022 and finished second in 2023. He is likely to compete in Zurich on September 5 before the Diamond League final in Brussels on September 13-14.

Only Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Olympic champion, did not compete in a star-studded field in Lausanne that had the likes of Paris Olympics bronze medalist Anderson Peters, Diamond Trophy 2023 winner Jakub Vadlejch and Germany’s Julian Weber. Neeraj was looking to return to his best after having been dethroned as the Olympic champion in Paris. The Indian star won silver at the Olympics with a best effort of 89.45m, finishing behind gold medalist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan.

Neeraj was expected to take a long break and consider surgery for a long-standing groin injury concern. The Haryana athlete had spoken about the impact of the groin injury on his performance in the Olympics where he managed just one legal effort out of six attempts. However, Neeraj made an earlier-than-expected return to compete in Lausanne. He has delayed the decision on surgery once again and is likely to take a call after the end of the season.

In Paris, Neeraj became the first Indian athlete to win multiple Olympic medals in track and field as he followed up the gold in Tokyo with a silver in the French capital. However, the world champion was not convinced with his effort and stressed the need to get past the 90m barrier. Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic record throw of 92.97m indeed put pressure on the Indian star who has taken pride in being consistent in the tour.

“It was probably the day for a 90m throw. It was needed as well. I haven’t thought about it (90m throw) that much. But, it is coming to my mind now. I gave it my all,” Neeraj had told India Today after the Paris Olympics final.

Neeraj will be keen on regaining the Diamond Trophy and the javelin star is well-placed to do so after the resounding effort in Lausanne, one of his favourite hunting grounds.