Zurich: India’s star javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra settled for the runner-up position at the Diamond League Final 2025 in Zurich, marking his third consecutive second-place finish at the prestigious season-ending meet.
Weber Steals the Show with Record Throws
Germany’s Julian Weber produced a stunning performance, throwing 91.37m and 91.57m in his opening two attempts to secure his maiden Diamond League title. His 91.57m effort also marked the world-leading throw of the season and a new personal best. None of the seven competitors came close to matching him, as Weber finished more than six meters ahead of Chopra.
Chopra Struggles to Find Rhythm
Chopra, who won the Diamond League Final in 2022 at the same venue, had a mixed outing. He started with 84.35m, followed by 82m and a foul. At the halfway stage, he was in third position, but a final-round throw of 85.01m lifted him to second place, ahead of Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott (84.95m).
Defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada finished fourth with 82.06m.
Rare Dip in Consistency
Known for consistently breaching the 88m mark, Chopra managed only three legal throws out of six attempts in Zurich, with his best being just over 85m. It was a rare off-day for the 27-year-old, who had earlier in the season touched the 90m mark (90.23m) at the Doha Diamond League, finishing second behind Weber.
Weber, meanwhile, continued his superb form, having thrown 91.06m in Doha earlier this year. The Zurich final marked his third 90m-plus throw of the season, underlining his dominance.
Road Ahead for Chopra
Despite finishing second again, Chopra remains India’s biggest athletics hope. He will now turn his focus to the World Championships in Tokyo next month, where he enters as the defending champion.
