India’s ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made history yet again by breaching the elusive 90-metre mark for the first time in his career during the Doha leg of the Diamond League 2025. With a remarkable throw of 90.23m, Chopra became the third Asian and 25th athlete in the world to cross the prestigious 90m mark. Despite this extraordinary feat, he narrowly missed out on the top spot, finishing second behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who stole the show with a world-leading throw of 91.06m in his final attempt.
The event, held at the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on May 16, 2025, turned out to be one of the most dramatic contests in recent javelin history. With both Chopra and Weber surpassing the 90m milestone for the first time, the competition highlighted the intensifying global standards in the discipline.
This performance not only marks a significant personal milestone for Chopra but also raises expectations for the upcoming events in the 2025 athletics season, including the Paris Olympic lead-up competitions.
Table of Contents
Summary Table: Neeraj Chopra Breaks 90m Barrier
Key Details |
Information |
|---|---|
Event |
Doha Diamond League 2025 |
Athlete |
Neeraj Chopra |
Country |
India |
Achievement |
90.23m throw – first 90m+ throw |
Final Standing |
2nd Place |
Winner |
Julian Weber (Germany) – 91.06m |
Venue |
Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha |
Date |
May 16, 2025 |
Official Website |
Neeraj Chopra Breaches 90m for the First Time
In a remarkable performance at the Doha leg of the 2025 Diamond League, India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finally crossed the much-anticipated 90m mark. With a sensational third attempt throw of 90.23m, Chopra joined the elite list of javelin throwers who have breached the 90m barrier—becoming only the 25th in the world and the third Asian ever to achieve the milestone.
Chopra’s historic throw was the highlight of the evening, but in a dramatic twist, he had to settle for second place as Germany’s Julian Weber delivered a phenomenal 91.06m on his final attempt, overtaking the Indian in a nail-biting finish.
Julian Weber Steals the Show in Final Attempt
Julian Weber, a formidable German competitor, clinched victory with his personal best and first-ever 90m+ throw. His 91.06m effort in the sixth round not only surpassed Chopra’s milestone but also emerged as the season’s world-leading throw.
Weber’s triumph was as dramatic as it was historic, given that it was the final throw of the competition and one that rewrote the leaderboard in seconds.
Anderson Peters Takes Third
Two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Anderson Peters of Grenada secured the third position with an 84.65m throw. While he started strong, his performance didn’t quite reach the peaks he’s known for, but was enough to land him a podium finish.
Chopra’s Reaction: A Bitter-Sweet Moment
Speaking after the event, Neeraj Chopra expressed mixed emotions. “I am very happy to have breached the 90m mark but it’s a bitter-sweet experience,” he admitted. His joy at entering the 90m club was tempered by the narrow miss on the top podium spot.
“My coach Jan Zelezny said today is the day I can throw 90m. The wind helps and the weather was a little warm—that helps too. I also told Julian that we can throw 90m. I’m also happy for him.”
Chopra is optimistic about going even further. “I believe I can throw farther than this in the coming events. We’ll work on a few aspects and aim to repeat or better this feat later in the season,” he added.
Chopra’s Performance Breakdown
Chopra’s throw series in the final was a testament to his consistency and form:
- 1st Attempt: 88.44m
- 2nd Attempt: Foul
- 3rd Attempt: 90.23m (Personal Best)
- 4th Attempt: 80.56m
- 5th Attempt: Foul
- 6th Attempt: 88.20m
The historic third throw sent a wave of excitement through Indian athletics circles, despite the final result not being a win.
Kishore Jena’s Underwhelming Outing
The other Indian javelin thrower in the event, Kishore Jena, could not live up to expectations. He managed a throw of just 78.60m, finishing in 8th place.
Historical Context: Chopra’s Journey in Doha
Neeraj Chopra has a significant history at the Doha Diamond League:
- 2018: 4th place (87.43m)
- 2023: Winner (88.67m)
- 2024: 2nd place (88.36m)
- 2025: 2nd place (90.23m)
His steady performance in Doha over the years highlights his dominance and consistency at the elite level.
What’s Next for Neeraj Chopra?
With this 90m+ barrier finally breached, all eyes will now be on Chopra’s next few appearances leading up to the Paris 2025 World Athletics Championships. Fans and coaches alike believe that a new national record or even a world record may not be far off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Neeraj Chopra break the 90m barrier in Doha 2025?
Ans. Yes, he recorded a personal best of 90.23m in his third attempt.
2. Who won the men’s javelin event in the Doha Diamond League 2025?
Ans. Julian Weber of Germany won with a throw of 91.06m.
3. How can I watch or follow Diamond League results?
Ans. Results and event updates can be found on the official Diamond League website.
4. Has Neeraj Chopra thrown 90m before?
Ans. No, this was the first time Chopra breached the 90m mark in his professional career.
5. What was Kishore Jena’s performance in the same event?
Ans. Kishore Jena finished 8th with a throw of 78.60m.
