Doha Diamond League 2025: Neeraj Chopra settles for second position despite a colossal 90.23 m throw
Neeraj Chopra finally realized his dream of surpassing the 90m mark in javelin throw at the Doha Diamond League, achieving a distance of 90.23m. Despite this milestone, he secured second place as Weber's impressive 92m throw turned the tables. Chopra's achievement makes him the third Asian and 25th overall to join the elite group of 90m-plus throwers.
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While Neeraj Chopra achieved his highly-anticipated dream of crossing 90m mark, he still had to settle for second position at Doha's Diamond League after Weber turned the situation around with his 92m throw.Finally, after wait of years, India's two-time Olympic medallist and reigning World Champion in javelin throw, Neeraj Chopra opened the 2025 season with a bang, completing his long dream of crossing 90m.The 90m mark was more than just a number—it was Neeraj Chopra's Everest. For years, it stood as a symbolic summit, always within reach yet just out of grasp, with the javelin often landing tantalisingly close in the high 88s and 89s.With a throw of 90.23 metre, India's most celebrated athlete of all times now becomes 25th overall and third Asian javelin thrower to breach the elite mark.On the back of his mind, Neeraj had always dreamt of elusive 90m mark and that was finally achieved in Doha.The 27-year-old double Olympic medallist sent his spear 90.23m in his third attempt to join a list of javelin throwers, led by his current coach Jan Zelezny of Czechia, who had recorded 90m-plus efforts. Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem (92.97m) of Pakistan and Chao-Tsun Cheng (91.36m) of Chinese Taipei are the two other Asians to have breached the coveted mark.The celebrated javelin thrower commenced the tournament with a powerful throw of 88.4m in first round, allowing him to stand at the top.Neeraj has had a successful career with the Qatar Sports Club, placing second in the Diamond League's Doha leg in 2024 and winning in 2023. For the past few years, Neeraj has also started his athletic season at the Doha competition.
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