Neeraj Chopra delivered an impressive performance at the Lausanne Diamond League on Thursday, August 22, finishing second with a season-best throw of 89.49 meters. The silver medalist from the Paris Olympics may not have been at his peak, but he summoned his determination in his final effort to secure second place, narrowly missing the 90-meter mark once again. Anderson Peters was the standout performer of the day, breaking the meeting record with a throw of 90.61 meters.
Both Jakub Wadlej and Neeraj struggled with the conditions, with the Czech thrower ending up in a disappointing seventh place. Neeraj’s first throw measured 82.10 meters, putting him fourth at the end of Round 1. At that point, Anderson Peters had taken the lead with an impressive throw of 86.36 meters, while Jakub Wadlej appeared to be having difficulties early on.
Neeraj’s second attempt was strong, allowing him to return to the top three with a throw of 83.21 meters. Peters then achieved a distance of 88.49 meters, followed by Julian Weber at 87.08 meters, as those two began to create distance from the rest of the competitors. Ukraine’s Arthur Felfner recorded a throw of 83.38 meters, causing Neeraj to drop to fourth place.
Neeraj’s third throw reached only 83.13 meters, but he remained in the top four, as his throws continued to be below his usual performance level. His fourth attempt measured 82.34 meters, keeping him at the same position.
Neeraj had his best throw on the fifth attempt, reaching 85.58 meters, securing a place in the top three. Only the top three would have one final attempt, and Peters finished strong, breaking the meeting record with his throw of 90.61 meters. Neeraj then achieved his season’s best with a throw of 89.49 meters, edging out Weber for second place, while the German ended in third.
This marked Neeraj’s second-best career throw, just ahead of his 89.45 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Neeraj Chopra has consistently excelled in Lausanne, winning the 2022 Diamond League with a throw of 87.66 meters and taking the top spot again in 2023 with a throw of 89.08 meters.
With his second-place finish in Lausanne, Neeraj has moved into the top three of the Diamond League standings for the 2024 season. After finishing second in Doha earlier in the season, he currently holds fourth place with 7 points. Having won the Diamond Trophy in 2022 and being the runner-up in 2023, he is expected to compete in Zurich on September 5, followed by the Diamond League finals in Brussels on September 13-14.
Only reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem was absent from the star-studded field in Lausanne, which included Paris Olympics bronze medalist Anderson Peters, 2023 Diamond Trophy winner Jakub Wadlej, and Germany’s Julian Weber. Neeraj aimed to return to his best form after being dethroned as Olympic champion in Paris. He won a silver medal, finishing behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who claimed gold with a throw of 89.45 meters.
Neeraj was anticipated to take an extended break and contemplate surgery for a long-standing groin injury. He had previously discussed the impact of this injury on his Olympic performance, where he managed just one valid throw out of six attempts. However, Neeraj made an earlier-than-expected return to compete in Lausanne, delaying any decision regarding surgery until after the season concludes.
In Paris, Neeraj became the first Indian athlete to win multiple Olympic medals in track and field, securing silver in both the French capital and Tokyo. However, the world champion was not satisfied with his performance and emphasized the need to surpass the 90-meter mark. Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic record throw of 92.97 meters added pressure on Neeraj, who is known for his consistency on the circuit.
“Maybe it was a day for throwing 90 meters. It was necessary. I haven’t thought much about it (the 90 meters). But it does cross my mind now. I gave it my all,” Neeraj told India Today after the final in Paris.
Neeraj is eager to reclaim the Diamond Trophy, and after a strong showing in Lausanne, he is well-positioned to do so.
Neeraj Chopra Shines at Lausanne Diamond League: A Close Second with Season’s Best Throw
On August 22, 2023, Neeraj Chopra showcased his resilience and skill during the Lausanne Diamond League, finishing in a commendable second place with a season-best throw of 89.49 meters. The silver medalist from the Paris Olympics displayed grit and determination, narrowly missing the coveted 90m mark once again. The event saw the phenomenal Anderson Peters emerging victorious, setting a new meeting record with a breathtaking throw of 90.61 meters.
Performance Overview
Amidst challenging conditions, both Neeraj and Czech Republic thrower, Jakub Wadlej, faced difficulties throughout the competition. Wadlej finished disappointingly in seventh place, while Neeraj initially struggled but made a remarkable comeback.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
- Round 1: Neeraj’s initial throw of 82.10 meters placed him fourth, while Peters took the lead with an impressive 86.36 meters.
- Round 2: Neeraj bounced back with a throw of 83.21 meters, re-entering the top three.
- Round 3: Neeraj’s third attempt only reached 83.13 meters, maintaining his position in the top four.
- Round 4: A throw of 82.34 meters kept him steady, yet still below his usual standards.
- Round 5: Neeraj delivered his best performance of the day with an 85.58 meters throw, ensuring his place in the final attempt.
- Final Attempt: In a thrilling final round, Neeraj launched a 89.49 meters throw, earning him the second place as he narrowly edged out Julian Weber, who finished third.
Notable Competitors
The Lausanne Diamond League featured a star-studded lineup, including reigning Olympic champion, Arshad Nadeem. Other notable competitors included:
- Anderson Peters – Olympic bronze medalist
- Jakub Wadlej – 2023 Diamond Trophy winner
- Julian Weber – An emerging star in javelin throw
Neeraj Chopra’s Journey Through the Season
This season has seen Neeraj making a significant impact in the Diamond League standings. His performance in Lausanne places him in the top three, enhancing his prospects for the upcoming events.
Diamond League Standings Update
After his second-place finish in Lausanne, Neeraj Chopra improved his ranking in the 2024 Diamond League season:
| Position | Athlete | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anderson Peters | 10 |
| 2 | Neeraj Chopra | 7 |
| 3 | Julian Weber | 5 |
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite his impressive achievement in Lausanne, Neeraj has been battling a long-standing groin injury, which he acknowledged impacted his Olympic performance. After much deliberation, he has postponed any potential surgical intervention until after the current season, aiming to end on a high note.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Competitions
Neeraj’s next competition in the Diamond League will be in Zurich on September 5, followed by the finals in Brussels on September 13-14. His previous performances in Lausanne have proven beneficial, and he aims to reclaim the Diamond Trophy, which he won in 2022.
Historical Context and Milestones
Neeraj Chopra’s achievements have made him a trailblazer in Indian athletics:
- First Indian athlete to win multiple Olympic medals in track and field.
- Gold medalist in the Tokyo Olympics 2021.
- Pursuing the first Indian male athlete to clear the 90m mark in javelin throw.
A Word from Neeraj Chopra
“Maybe it was a 90m throw day. It was also necessary. I haven’t thought much about it, but it comes to my mind now. I gave everything.” – Neeraj Chopra, reflecting on his performances.
Conclusion: A Gritty Performance and Aspirations
Neeraj Chopra’s journey in the Lausanne Diamond League adds another chapter to his storied career. With determination and relentless work ethic, he is well-positioned to achieve his goal of surpassing the 90m mark and reclaiming the Diamond Trophy. The Indian javelin star continues to inspire many and is one step closer to returning to his peak form.
