Paris, June 21, 2025 — Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra delivered a stellar performance on Friday night, winning the Diamond League meet in Paris and claiming his first title on the circuit in two years. The 26-year-old Indian javelin star outclassed reigning world champion Julian Weber of Germany in a high-stakes contest that kept fans on edge till the final throw.
Chopra’s winning effort came in the fifth round, registering a throw of 88.45 metres his season’s best so far. Weber, who had taken the lead early on with an 86.37-metre throw, could not better his mark in the remaining rounds. Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch secured third with a best throw of 85.12 metres.
This is Chopra’s third career Diamond League win, but his first since 2022, marking a significant comeback after an injury-marred 2023. Speaking after the win, Chopra said, “This victory means a lot after a challenging season. I’ve worked hard on my fitness, and I’m happy the results are beginning to show.”
The victory also boosts Chopra’s confidence ahead of the upcoming World Athletics Championships and the Paris Olympics next year. With this win, he has also secured qualification for the Diamond League Finals in Zurich.
India’s athletics contingent, including Chopra’s team, expressed optimism about India’s medal prospects in the javelin and other field events going forward.
