There was perhaps no 90-metre show, but Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra began his 2025 season on a victorious note, winning the Paris Diamond League title on Friday, June 20. His first throw of 88.16 meters was enough to win and hold off a tough challenge from Germany's Julian Weber.
Even though he registered only three legal attempts out of six, Neeraj's opening attempt trended the evening. Weber, who had beaten the Indian sensation earlier this year in Doha and again at Poland's Janusz Kusociński Memorial meeting, maintained the heat but was unable to overtake Neeraj's leading mark.
The Paris victory was Neeraj's first Diamond League victory since Lausanne 2023 and his fifth in total, including his iconic Diamond League Final triumph in Zurich in 2022.
A Triumphant Return to Paris
Back in the French capital after an eight-year gap for a Diamond League event, Neeraj came with resolve. His last appearance in Paris, as a junior world champion, had found him placing fifth. This time, he made his presence felt from the word go—throwing his first effort to 88.16 meters and setting the tone.
Weber hit back hard with an 86.20-meter throw but was unable to bridge the gap. Neeraj came back with another good effort of 85.10 meters before three foul throws came in the way, breaking his stride.
Close Contest With Weber
With the temperature at the venue dipping, conditions for throwing became more difficult. However, Weber kept the competition on, and spectators were reminded of that exciting Doha meeting earlier in the season, when Weber had beaten Neeraj despite the Indian crossing the much-sought 90-meter mark.
With his last effort, Neeraj achieved a throw of 82.89 meters. Weber, in need of something extraordinary to edge ahead, was able to throw only 81.08 meters, cementing Neeraj's victory.
New Continental Record by Da Silva
Where Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott appeared set to settle for third place, Brazil's Mauricio Luiz da Silva sprang into the top three with an electrifying 86.20-meter throw, establishing a new continental record and displacing Walcott from the podium.
Neeraj's Diamond League Wins to Date:
- Lausanne 2022
- Diamond League Final, Zurich 2022
- Doha 2023
- Lausanne 2023
- Paris 2025
What's Next for Neeraj?
Neeraj Chopra now has his eyes on the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 24. Next, he will feature at the first ever Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 4, with the belief of having already won a big title in the early part of the season.
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