As the sun sets on May 23 in Chorzów, Poland, the javelin runway at the 71st ORLEN Janusz Kusociński Memorial will light up with some of the world’s best throwers – and leading them all will be India’s Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra.
The World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meet promises a blockbuster men’s javelin event, and for Indian fans, it’s another chance to witness the athlete who has redefined the sport for the nation.
But there’s more than just a win at stake. Neeraj Chopra arrives in Poland riding one of the most remarkable streaks in modern javelin history – 21 consecutive competitions finishing in the top two. That puts him in rarefied air, alongside some of the sport’s all-time greats.
Legends of Consistency
Only four men in history have had longer streaks than Neeraj in terms of consecutive top-2 finishes:
- Jan Železný (CZE) – 33
- Sergey Makarov (RUS) – 25
- Konstadinos Gatsioudis (GRE) – 23
- Neeraj Chopra (IND) – 21*
- Johannes Vetter (GER) – 19
Neeraj is now within striking distance of joining Gatsioudis and Makarov in the all-time top three. The numbers underline not just his talent, but his remarkable consistency. Since his breakthrough gold at the Tokyo Olympics, the Indian star has rarely had an off day — a quality that separates the good from the great.
Familiar Rivals in a Historic Setting
The Kusociński Memorial is steeped in javelin history. This very stadium has witnessed two of the longest throws ever recorded — 97.76m and 96.29m, both by Germany’s Johannes Vetter. The venue has a fast runway, favourable wind conditions, and a reputation for big marks.
Neeraj won’t have it easy here. The field includes:
- Julian Weber (GER): Recently joined the elite 90m club. Known for his rhythm and clean technique, Weber is capable of putting serious pressure on Chopra.
- Anderson Peters (GRN): The two-time World Champion has raw power and a best of over 93m. Though his form has dipped recently, on his day, he’s lethal.
- Marcin Krukowski (POL): The local favourite, he holds the Polish national record (89.55m) and has always performed well in front of home fans.
- Andrian Mardare (MDA): A consistent finalist on the circuit, Mardare adds further depth to the field.
It’s a line-up worthy of a global final, and for Neeraj, another opportunity to test himself against the best – just as he thrives on.
Postponed Classic, New Opportunity
With the Neeraj Chopra Classic, scheduled for early May in India, postponed due to logistical reasons, this meet in Chorzów becomes his first competitive outing of the 2025 season. That adds another layer of intrigue. How will the 26-year-old begin his year? Will he come out in full rhythm or ease into competition mode?
Historically, Neeraj has opened strong. His 88.67m opener in Doha last season was a statement throw, and he followed that with podium finishes at the World Championships and the Diamond League Final. His training base in South Africa earlier this year reportedly went well, and the break since his last outing might have only sharpened his edge.
What’s at Stake?
For Neeraj Chopra, the Kusociński Memorial is not just another meet. It’s a:
- Stage to test new technical elements refined in off-season training.
- Opportunity to extend his top-2 streak to 22 – pushing closer to historical greatness.
- Chance to set a marker for the rest of the field, especially with major competitions like the Asian Championships and Diamond League still to come.
- Mental tune-up ahead of a long season, including the highly anticipated World Championships next year.
A big throw here could also send a clear signal to rivals and reassert Neeraj’s dominance in a field that’s as competitive as ever.
The Bigger Picture
Neeraj Chopra’s journey over the last few years has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his historic Olympic gold in Tokyo to becoming India’s first World Champion in track and field, he has consistently pushed boundaries — both for himself and for Indian athletics.
Now, with every competition, he inches closer to legends like Železný and Makarov — not just in terms of distances thrown, but in career legacy. The streak isn’t just about numbers. It’s about showing up, delivering under pressure, and redefining what it means to be elite.
On May 23 at 9:45 PM IST, all eyes will be on the javelin runway in Chorzów. Can Neeraj make it 22 in a row?
Don’t bet against him.
