India’s golden javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finally returned to the top of the Diamond League podium, clinching victory at the Paris Diamond League 2025 with a throw of 88.16m, ending a 722-day gap since his last Diamond League win.
This win marked Chopra’s first Diamond League triumph since Lausanne 2023, where he had topped the field with a distance of 87.66m. Since then, he had finished second in an impressive six consecutive Diamond League meets, underlining both his consistency and the ultra-competitive nature of global javelin events.
A Run of Consistent Excellence
Between Lausanne 2023 and Paris 2025, Chopra’s performances remained world-class, though the top spot proved elusive:
- Zurich 2023 (Final): 85.71m – 2nd
- Eugene 2023: 83.80m – 2nd
- Doha 2024: 88.36m – 2nd
- Lausanne 2024: 89.49m – 2nd
- Brussels 2024 (Final): 87.86m – 2nd
- Doha 2024 (Second leg): 90.23m – 2nd
These results reflect an extraordinary level of consistency at the highest level of the sport. Chopra remained firmly within the 85–90m range throughout this period, often narrowly edged out by in-form rivals such as Germany’s Julian Weber or Grenada’s Anderson Peters.
Paris 2025: Back on Top
At the Paris Diamond League 2025, Chopra stamped his authority right from the first round. His opening throw of 88.16m proved unmatchable by the rest of the field, giving him an early lead that he never relinquished. While Julian Weber pushed close with 87.88m, and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio da Silva threw 86.62m, neither could surpass Chopra’s mark.
Chopra’s series for the night read:
88.16m, 85.10m, X, X, X, 82.89m
Though his later throws were less consistent, the early effort had already secured him the win.
Back Among the Winners
This win not only reaffirmed Chopra’s elite status in world javelin but also ended a stretch where he was consistently close yet just short of victories. The 88.16m effort in Paris was his second-best mark of the 2025 season, behind his season-best of 90.23m in Doha, where he had finished second to Weber in a high-quality contest.
The Paris victory is Chopra’s fifth Diamond League meet win, making him the only Indian to have ever won a Diamond League event. His wins include:
- Lausanne 2022
- Zurich 2022 (Final)
- Doha 2023
- Lausanne 2023
- Paris 2025
More Than Just a Medal
Beyond the medal, the Paris win serves as a timely morale booster ahead of the crucial phase of the 2025 season. With the World Athletics Championships and Asian Indoor & Martial Arts Games later this year, Chopra’s form and confidence will be crucial for India’s medal prospects.
It also maintains Chopra’s staggering record of 23 consecutive top-two finishes since the Tokyo Olympics a testament to his dominance and consistency on the international stage.
Chopra’s Impact
Neeraj Chopra has transcended the role of just an athlete. He has become one of India’s most recognized and respected sporting icons. Since winning the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold, Chopra has added:
- World Championships Gold (2023) & Silver (2022)
- Asian Games Gold (2023)
- Diamond League Final Champion (2022)
- Commonwealth Games Gold (2018)
- Entry into the 90m club — becoming the first Indian to breach the coveted barrier.
Next Stop: Ostrava Golden Spike
Chopra is set to return to action at the Ostrava Golden Spike, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meet, on June 24, where he is expected to face a strong field including Anderson Peters and Thomas Röhler. That meet will offer another opportunity for Chopra to test his form and rhythm in the lead-up to the major championships.
Neeraj Chopra’s win at the Paris Diamond League 2025 is not just a return to winning ways—it’s a reaffirmation of his status as one of the most consistent and formidable javelin throwers in the world. His ability to deliver big throws across continents and against the world’s best makes him a central figure in global athletics.
With this performance, Chopra signals that he’s not just maintaining form he’s peaking once again.
