New Delhi, August 23 – Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra clinched second place at the Lausanne Diamond League on Thursday, marking a significant achievement with a throw of 89.49 meters. This stellar performance places him just behind Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who secured the top spot with a phenomenal final throw of 90.61 meters, setting a meet record.
Chopra, the 26-year-old Olympic gold medalist, struggled initially with throws in the 83-meter range but escalated his performance dramatically in his fifth and sixth attempts. This secured his spot among the top competitors, continuing his record of finishing in the top two in international tournaments. His throws of 82.10 meters, 83.21 meters, and 83.13 meters initially placed him fourth by the end of the fourth round.
The reigning world champion then threw 85.58 meters in his fifth attempt, which vaulted him into the top three and ensured his competition in the final round. This was a significant comeback considering his last outing outside the top three was at the Zurich Diamond League in 2018.
Anderson Peters saved his best for last, throwing an astounding 90.61 meters in his final attempt, which not only won him the competition but also set a season and meet record. Meanwhile, Julian Weber, another strong competitor, could only manage 82.33 meters in his final attempt.
Chopra’s final throw was his season's best and the second-best of his career, though it fell slightly short of the elusive 90-meter mark, leaving him somewhat disappointed yet holding a respectable second place.
This performance at Lausanne underscores Chopra's consistency and prowess in the field of javelin throw, marking another notable entry in his career achievements and setting high expectations for his future competitions.
