Neeraj wins Paris Diamond League with 88.16m throw
On June 20, 2025, Indian javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal at the Paris Diamond League, held at the Stade Sébastien Charléty in France. Competing against a strong field of world-class throwers, Neeraj opened the competition with an exceptional throw of 88.16 meters, which turned out to be the winning mark of the event.His second throw saw him reach 85.10m, and then he fouled in his next three tries. Then, in his sixth and final throw, he registered 82.89m.Despite fouling on three of his later attempts, his opening throw stood unmatched throughout the meet.
/*Podium Finishers. */
Neeraj Chopra secured first place with his 88.16m throw. Julian Weber of Germany came in second with a close mark of 87.88m, while Brazil’s Luiz Maurício da Silva took third who got 86.62m in his second attempt . The competition featured several elite throwers, including multiple athletes who have previously thrown over 90 meters, making Chopra’s win particularly significant.
Although he didn’t improve on his first attempt, the initial mark was enough to keep him on top throughout the event. This gold medal marks his first Diamond League win of the 2025 season and his fifth overall Diamond League title. Notably, it was also the first time Chopra beat Julian Weber this season, having previously finished behind him in Doha and Poland. Chopra had breached the 90m mark in the Doha Diamond League recently, with a throw of 90.23m, but had to settle for second place. In Doha, Weber won gold, with his last-round throw of 91.06m.
Weber also beat Chopra at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet in Poland, where overcast and windy conditions saw the German get 86.12m. Meanwhile, Chopra came second with a 84.14m throw.
/*Chopra's Reaction. */
Despite the victory, Neeraj remained humble and analytical. He emphasized the need to improve his core strength and throwing technique to consistently reach the 90 meter mark. He acknowledged that better control is needed in his later throws, particularly to avoid fouls. Chopra mentioned that his focus is on preparing for upcoming events by addressing these technical and physical aspects.
/*Upcoming Competitions.*/
Looking ahead, Neeraj Chopra is set to compete at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet on June 24, 2025. He will also host and compete in the first-ever Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, 2025, a prestigious World Athletics Category A event expected to draw global attention.
/*National Pride & Reactions. */
Neeraj’s win has once again sparked national pride. Prominent Indian cricketers, including Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma, praised Chopra’s dedication, calling his performance an example of “unreal consistency.” His success continues to inspire athletes across India, reinforcing his status as a global sporting icon.