Paris, June 21 – Indian javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra added another major accolade to his glittering career by winning his first Diamond League title in two years, triumphing at the Paris leg of the 2025 Diamond League on Friday night.
The 27-year-old Olympic and World Champion clinched the top spot with a massive first-round throw of 88.16m, outclassing Germany’s Julian Weber and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva, both strong contenders and members of the elite 90m club.
This marked Chopra’s first Paris Diamond League victory, having last competed at the venue in 2017 as a junior and finishing fifth then.
Final Standings – Paris Diamond League 2025 (Javelin Throw)
| Position | Athlete | Country | Best Throw (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neeraj Chopra | India | 88.16 |
| 2 | Julian Weber | Germany | 87.88 |
| 3 | Luiz Mauricio Da Silva | Brazil | 86.62 |
| 4 | Keshorn Walcott | Trinidad & Tobago | 81.66 |
| 5 | Anderson Peters | Grenada | 80.29 |
| 6 | Julius Yego | Kenya | 80.26 |
“I Am Happy With My Throw” – Neeraj Reflects
After the event, Chopra expressed satisfaction with his performance:
“I am happy with my throw. My run-up was really fast today. I can’t control my speed, but I’m happy with the result and with the first position,” he told the broadcaster.
Chopra’s throw came in his first attempt, followed by 85.10m in his second. He fouled his third, fourth, and fifth attempts, and closed with 82.89m in his sixth.
Comeback After Second-Place Finishes
This win was special as it broke a string of six second-place finishes in Diamond League events since his last DL title in Lausanne in June 2023 (87.66m).
Chopra had thrown 90.23m in the Doha DL leg on May 16, but still finished second behind Julian Weber’s 91.06m. They faced off again in Poland on May 23, where Chopra was second again.
What’s Next for Neeraj Chopra?
The Indian athlete will now compete at the Golden Spike Meet in Ostrava on June 24, before heading to his own event—the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics Category A event.
Speaking on his upcoming schedule, Chopra said:
“I need some recovery… then I compete in Ostrava and host the Neeraj Chopra Classic. I’m hoping for more 90m throws this season.”
Paris Diamond League 2025: High-Profile Lineup
Apart from Chopra and Weber, the field included top javelin names like:
- Julius Yego (Kenya, 2015 World Champion)
- Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad & Tobago, 2012 Olympic Gold Medallist)
- Anderson Peters (Grenada, Two-Time World Champion)
While these seasoned athletes failed to cross the 82m mark on Friday, Chopra proved once again why he remains a global force in athletics.
Verdict
Neeraj Chopra’s victory in Paris not only strengthens his position ahead of the 2025 World Championships and Paris Olympics 2026, but also showcases his consistent form. With confidence high and a 90m throw already under his belt this season, the Indian javelin ace is poised for an extraordinary year ahead.
