India’s Olympic champion and world javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra achieved a historic milestone at the Doha Diamond League 2025 on Friday, becoming the first Indian to breach the 90-metre barrier in the sport. Despite the incredible feat, he narrowly missed out on gold, settling for second place behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who stunned the field with a final throw of 91.06 metres.
Neeraj’s Record-Breaking Performance
Chopra’s third attempt saw him hurl the javelin 90.23 metres, breaking his previous national record of 89.94 m set at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022. The monstrous throw placed him firmly in the lead heading into the final round.
This throw marked a significant personal and national milestone, finally pushing Chopra past the elusive 90-m mark, a target he had been chasing since 2021.
Weber Steals Gold with Dramatic Last Throw
While Neeraj maintained his lead for most of the event, Germany’s Julian Weber delivered a breathtaking throw in the final round, measuring 91.06 metres, snatching the top podium spot in dramatic fashion. It was a season-best for Weber, who had earlier managed a strong 89.06 m.
Competition Highlights
- Round 1: Neeraj began strong with an 88.44 m effort, topping the field early on.
- Round 2: A foul, but Neeraj retained his lead.
- Round 3: A historic 90.23 m throw — new Indian national record.
- Rounds 4 & 5: 80.56 m and a foul, respectively, still enough to lead.
- Round 6: Closed with 88.20 m, but Weber’s 91.06 m trumped him.
Final Standings – Men’s Javelin Throw, Doha Diamond League 2025
🥇 Julian Weber (Germany) – 91.06 m
🥈 Neeraj Chopra (India) – 90.23 m (NR)
🥉 Anderson Peters (Grenada) – 85.64 m
Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott and Germany’s Julian Weber were also consistent, but it was the showdown between Chopra and Weber that defined the night.
Neeraj Chopra continues to cement his legacy in Indian athletics, and while he narrowly missed the gold, his entry into the 90m club marks a monumental achievement for India in the field of track and field.