By The Sampadak Express
India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra delivered a sensational performance at the 2025 Doha Diamond League on Friday, May 16, breaching the elusive 90-metre mark for the first time in his career. However, his record-breaking 90.23m throw was not enough to clinch the top spot, as Germany’s Julian Weber stunned the field with a massive final-round effort of 91.06 metres to claim gold.
Chopra started strong with an 88.40m throw, followed by a foul on his second attempt. In his third throw, he made history by crossing the 90m barrier with a 90.23m effort the farthest ever by an Indian athlete. But two more fouls and an 88.20m attempt in the final round left the door open for Weber, who seized the opportunity with a dramatic final throw to leapfrog Chopra and secure the win.
Weber’s series included consistent throws of 82.83m, 85.57m, 89.06m, 88.05m, and 89.84m before his winning 91.06m throw. Until that moment, Chopra appeared poised for victory.
This outing marked a major milestone for Chopra, whose previous personal best and Indian national record stood at 89.94m, achieved at the Stockholm Diamond League on June 30, 2022. Over the past few years, Chopra has been steadily pushing the boundaries, with top throws of 89.49m, 89.45m, and 89.34m across 2024 events including the Lausanne Diamond League and the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he secured a silver medal.
With this latest throw, Chopra not only reset the Indian national record but also reaffirmed his place among the elite in global athletics. The two-time Olympic medallist also boasts impressive credentials at the World Athletics Championships, with a gold in 2023 (88.17m) and silver in 2022 (88.13m).
Despite finishing second in Doha, Neeraj Chopra’s historic 90.23m throw marks a new chapter in Indian athletics, signaling that the best may still be ahead for the javelin ace.
