Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, despite ongoing fitness challenges, showcased remarkable resilience with a season-best throw of 89.49 meters at the Lausanne Diamond League. The 26-year-old, who has been grappling with a persistent groin injury, delivered his best performance on the final attempt of the event, securing a second-place finish.
Chopra, who initially found himself in fourth place after his opening throws, made a significant leap in the fifth round with a throw of 85.58 meters. However, it was his final throw of 89.49 meters that highlighted his determination and skill, narrowly surpassing his previous 89.45 meters effort from earlier in the season.
Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion and bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, clinched the top spot with a commanding throw of 90.61 meters in the second round. Germany’s Julian Weber finished in third place with a throw of 87.08 meters.
Reflecting on his performance, Chopra expressed mixed emotions but ultimately satisfaction: “The feeling wasn’t great at first, but I am happy with my throw, especially the second-best throw of my career on my last attempt. It was a tough start, but the comeback was really nice, and I enjoyed the fighting spirit I showed.”
Despite experiencing throws around the 80-83 meter mark earlier in the competition, Chopra’s mental toughness and determination shone through as he pushed hard during the final rounds. “Competing at this level, staying mentally strong and fighting through is crucial,” he added.
The Lausanne Diamond League saw Peters dominate, continuing his impressive form from 2022 when he set a personal best of 93.07 meters. Chopra, currently tied for third in the Diamond League rankings with Weber, has accumulated 15 points. Peters leads with 21 points, while Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic holds second place with 16 points.
Chopra, who secured a silver medal at the Olympics on August 8 and a gold at the Tokyo Games, continues to manage his groin ailment, which has been a significant concern. Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, who defeated Chopra at the Paris Olympics with a record-setting throw, was absent from the Lausanne event.
Chopra has yet to secure a Diamond League victory this season, finishing second to Vadlejch in Doha on May 10. He is set to compete in the Zurich Diamond League meeting on September 5, with the final series event scheduled for September 14 in Brussels. To qualify for the finale, Chopra needs to be among the top six finishers.
In the 2023 Diamond League season, Chopra had previously won the Lausanne leg, but this year has seen him consistently battling his injury while striving for top positions in the prestigious series.