Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second In Zurich As Julian Weber Clinches Diamond League Crown

Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra had to be content with a second-place finish in the Diamond League Final on Thursday night in Zurich.

Despite a determined final throw of 85.01 metres, he was unable to surpass Germany’s Julian Weber, who claimed the title with a world-leading effort of 91.51 metres in the opening round.

Chopra, 27, endured a shaky outing, registering two legal throws and three fouls before landing his best effort in the sixth round. That final attempt propelled him past Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, who had been holding second place with 84.95m.

Although not his strongest showing, the result extended Chopra’s extraordinary record of 26 consecutive top-two finishes at the international level, a streak that reflects his remarkable consistency in global competition.

The night’s standout performer, however, was Julian Weber.

The German javelin thrower made an emphatic statement with his very first attempt, launching the spear to 91.37 metres, a new personal best that was later bettered by his 91.51m second throw. That effort stood unchallenged for the remainder of the event.

Weber, who had entered the competition with a previous best of 90.06m, further underscored his dominance with another big throw of 86.45m in the final round, making it three of the top marks of the night.

Technical Errors Hamper Chopra’s Rhythm

Chopra’s series began promisingly with 84.35m but dipped in the middle as he followed up with 79.91m and 82.00m before fouling his next three attempts.

The defending champion appeared to be struggling with timing and technique throughout the event. His efforts in Zurich fell short of both his season best of 88.16m, achieved in Paris in June, and his national record of 90.25m from Doha in May.

The lack of consistency on the night ultimately cost him the opportunity to retain his Diamond League title.

Former World Champion Anderson Peters of Grenada finished fourth with a best throw of 82.06m, while Walcott, who had briefly held second, could not improve beyond 84.95m. His later efforts 77.00m and 81.78m failed to make an impact.

The seven-man field failed to match Weber’s explosive form, with most athletes delivering below-par performances in the two-day athletics showcase.

With the World Championships in Tokyo just weeks away, Chopra will look to regroup and fine-tune his form.

Although the 90-metre barrier eluded him again, his late recovery in Zurich signals he remains a top contender heading into October’s marquee event.

As the countdown begins, fans and experts alike will watch closely to see if the Indian superstar can bounce back and reclaim global dominance.

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