Neeraj Chopra finishes 2nd in Diamond League with season-best 89.49m throw

Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra showcased his resilience and talent at the Lausanne Diamond League, finishing second with a remarkable season-best throw of 89.49m on Thursday. The 26-year-old athlete was initially in fourth place until his fifth attempt, where he managed an impressive throw of 85.58m. This performance was enough to qualify him for the final round, where only the top three competitors get their last attempts.

Chopra saved his best for the final round, launching the javelin to a stunning 89.49m, surpassing his own expectations and delivering his second-best career throw. Despite the challenging start, Chopra's determination and fighting spirit were evident as he bounced back to secure his position on the podium.

The event was won by two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada, who recorded a massive throw of 90.61m in the second round. Julian Weber of Germany claimed the third spot with a throw of 87.08m.

Reflecting on his performance, Chopra expressed satisfaction with his final throw, stating, "The feeling wasn't great at first, but I´m happy with my throw, especially the second (career) best throw on my last attempt. It was a tough start, but the comeback was really nice and I enjoyed the fighting spirit I showed."