NEW DELHI: For years, Neeraj Chopra has been a dominant force in javelin, but a recent performance in Zurich has raised questions about his rhythm and form just weeks before he defends his world title in Tokyo. At the Diamond League Final, Chopra appeared uncharacteristically off-color, finishing second behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who unleashed a massive 91.37m throw. This result, along with a recent defeat to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, has shown that Chopra is not invincible.
The 27-year-old Indian star struggled to find his rhythm in Zurich, with three foul throws and a best effort of only 85.01m on his final attempt. This was a clear sign that the technical overhaul he’s been working on with coach Jan Zelezny is still a work in progress.
“The timing was not so good. The run-up was not so good. There is something I didn’t find today, but I still have three weeks for the World Championships, and I will try my best,” Chopra said after the event.
Chopra’s performance highlights a recurring challenge: while he excels in contests where he can deliver a quick, sub-90m throw, he struggles when he’s pushed to go bigger. His record shows he’s never won a competition where a rival has gone past the 90-meter mark. This was evident in Paris, where Arshad Nadeem’s opening throw put immense pressure on him, and it was the case again in Zurich, where Weber’s first throw soared past 91m.
This year has already seen three new entrants into the elite 90m club: Chopra himself, Weber, and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva. The bar has been raised, and the 86-88m range that once felt so safe for Chopra may no longer be enough.
Weber, in particular, has emerged as a major threat. He has the three best throws of the year to his name and has won nine out of the ten competitions he’s entered. He currently holds a 2-1 lead over Chopra this year.
“At major championships, gold is more important than the distance. I will try my best to win the medal,” Chopra said, holding to a philosophy that has brought him great success. However, with power throwers like Weber, Nadeem, and former world champion Johannes Vetter all capable of a 90m throw at any moment, the pressure is squarely on Chopra to find his best form and defend his world title in the city where his legendary career truly began.
Can Neeraj Chopra Defend His World Title? The Javelin Star Faces New Challenges Ahead Of Tokyo
