Olympic medal-winning Indian javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra expressed pride in his consistency after clinching his first Diamond League title in two years, edging past German rival Julian Weber in a high-quality field.
The 27-year-old secured victory on Friday night with an impressive first-round throw of 88.16m, in a star-studded line-up that included five members of the elite 90m club.
His second throw registered 85.10m, followed by three consecutive fouls, before closing with 82.89m on his final attempt. Weber finished second with his opening effort of 87.88m, while Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio da Silva claimed third with a third-round throw of 86.62m.
“Today I was really happy with the start because I had a really good run-up technique, and everything was perfect. However, I felt that my body was going too much to the left today. I was trying to go with the javelin with my chest, so my technique was not so good today. My run-up technique was perfect, and the first throw was really good to start with. I am very happy with 88 metres today and a win after such a long time in a Wanda Diamond League,” the Haryana lad, who has a gold and silver in back-to-back Olympics, told the broadcaster.
Chopra had last won a Diamond League title in Lausanne in June 2023 with a throw of 87.66m. Since then, he had finished runner-up in six DL meetings.
This marked his maiden victory in the Paris leg of the prestigious series. His only previous appearance in the French capital came in 2017, when, as the reigning junior world champion, he placed fifth with 84.67m.
“Also, when I started my Wanda Diamond League career, I started here in Paris, so it is my second time here after my debut in 2017. After seven or eight years, I am happy with the win here. For me consistency is the biggest key. Yet, sometimes when you are competing in events like World Championships, the Olympics or some other big events, you need to be able to win in tough conditions, and under pressure. I am very happy to win here amongst so many great athletes. The guys throw really far and I am happy with my consistency, and I am hoping to be able to throw 90 metres in more competitions.”
Chopra had surpassed the 90m barrier earlier in the season at the Doha leg of the Diamond League on 16 May, recording a throw of 90.23m to finish second. Weber had claimed the title there with a final-round effort of 91.06m.
“Having Jan Zelezny around me makes me feel great about myself. When I am around him or when he coaches me, I feel very good. There is some positive energy about him, and everybody knows he was a great athlete who threw over 90 metres. Unlike other coaches who told me to take long steps when I start the crossing over, he said I can take shorter steps, but I have to do it in good speed. This is really good what I am already doing, but I need to focus on my technique when I throw,” he said.
The 31-year-old Weber had also got the better of Chopra at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland on 23 May, where both athletes struggled in chilly, overcast conditions. Weber managed 86.12m while Chopra had to settle for second with 84.14m.
The two-time Olympic medallist had kicked off his 2025 season with a title at an invitational meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa – a minor, Category F event – where he recorded a throw of 84.52m.
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