Indian javelin star and Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra clinched his first Diamond League title in two years, emerging victorious at the Paris leg of the prestigious athletics series on Friday night. The 27-year-old recorded a winning throw of 88.16m in his very first attempt, defeating a high-caliber field that included five athletes from the elite 90m club, including his long-time German rival Julian Weber.
Weber, who had beaten Chopra in their last two meetings, finished second with an opening throw of 87.88m, while Luiz Mauricio Da Silva of Brazil claimed third place with a third-round effort of 86.62m. Chopra followed his winning throw with an 85.10m in the second round and ended with an 82.89m effort in his sixth and final attempt, while three of his middle attempts were fouled.
Speaking after the win, Chopra said, “I am happy with my throw…. My run-up was really fast today. I can’t control my speed, but I’m happy with the result and with the first position.”
This was Chopra’s first win in the Paris leg of the Diamond League. His last appearance at the event was in 2017, where he finished fifth with a 84.67m throw. He had last won a Diamond League title in Lausanne in June 2023 with a throw of 87.66m and had since finished second in six consecutive meets.
Chopra started his 2025 season with a win at a minor invitational meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, with a throw of 84.52m. He then registered a personal best 90.23m in the Doha leg of the Diamond League on May 16, finishing second behind Weber, who clinched the title with a stunning 91.06m final throw. They faced off again at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet in Poland on May 23, where Weber (86.12m) again edged out Chopra (84.14m) under cold and overcast conditions.
Looking ahead, Chopra revealed he will compete next at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava on June 24, followed by hosting his own event, the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, a World Athletics category A meet, in Bengaluru on July 5.
Expressing optimism for the season ahead, Chopra said, “I’m hoping for some 90-metre throws because I broke that barrier in Doha. So now I believe I can do it some more… But let’s see, it depends on weather and good conditions, how the body feels, but maybe I will throw far in this season.”
The Paris field also included javelin greats like Julius Yego of Kenya, Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, and Anderson Peters of Grenada — all of whom have crossed the 90m mark in the past — making Chopra’s win even more significant.
