For Indian athletics, 10th May 2025 will be etched in golden letters — the day Neeraj Chopra finally breached the elusive 90-metre mark in javelin throw.
With a monstrous 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League, Neeraj not only rewrote the Indian record books but also added another jewel to his already sparkling crown.
A Throw for the Ages
It came on his third attempt in Doha, under the bright lights of the opening leg of the 2025 Diamond League. Neeraj Chopra’s javelin soared through the Qatari sky and landed at 90.23 metres. It wasn’t just a new personal best — it was history in motion. With that throw, Neeraj became:
- The 25th man in history to cross the 90m mark
- The 3rd Asian to achieve the feat (after Arshad Nadeem and Chao-Tsun Cheng)
- The 23rd best thrower on the all-time list
- The holder of the current world lead
Despite finishing second behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who responded with a meet-winning 91.06m on his final attempt, Neeraj’s performance stole the headlines. This was not just about competition standings — it was about legacy.
The Final Frontier
Ever since his breakthrough performance at the 2016 World U20 Championships, where he stunned the world with a then-junior world record of 86.48m, Neeraj Chopra has been on a meteoric rise. Olympic gold in Tokyo, World Championship gold in Budapest, Diamond League champion, Commonwealth and Asian Games titles — he had conquered every podium that mattered.
But there remained one lingering milestone — the 90m club. It was a symbolic line, one that separates the great from the legendary in javelin history.
For years, Neeraj came agonisingly close: 89.94m in 2022, 88.77m in 2023, and 88.36m in 2024. It was a matter of time, but the wait felt eternal — until now.
“The wait is over,” as fans across the globe echoed on social media.
India’s Golden Boy, Now a 90m Man
For India, this moment goes beyond sport. Neeraj Chopra’s influence on athletics in the country is profound. From a relatively obscure sport, javelin has become prime-time news, thanks to the boy from Khandra, Haryana.
Crossing 90m was more than a number — it was a national obsession. The headlines were ready for years. And now, they read:
“India’s Neeraj Chopra Joins the 90m Club.”
The only Indians who have ever come close were also inspired by Neeraj himself. His relentless pursuit of excellence has uplifted an entire ecosystem of throwers and track-and-field athletes.
Elite Company
Joining the 90m club places Neeraj among javelin royalty. Icons like Jan Železný, Andreas Thorkildsen, Johannes Vetter, and Thomas Röhler have long defined the gold standard in the sport. Neeraj now walks with them.
His 90.23m is the 23rd longest throw in history, a mark that leapfrogs him into conversations reserved for the sport’s greats.
Among Asian throwers, only Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem (92.97m) and Taiwan’s Chao-Tsun Cheng (91.36m) have thrown farther.
This also sets up an enticing narrative heading into future championships and the 2025 World Athletics Final — a potential rematch with Julian Weber and reigning World Champion Anderson Peters.
More Than Medals
Neeraj’s greatness has never been in question. But in javelin, the 90m mark holds symbolic weight — it is where physics and finesse meet raw power. It’s a psychological barrier as much as a physical one.
Now that he’s crossed it, Neeraj has — in a sense — completed the sport. From a 12-year-old picking up the javelin to becoming:
- Olympic Champion
- World Champion
- Diamond League Winner
- Asian & Commonwealth Gold Medallist
- World Junior Record Holder
- And now, a 90m thrower
It’s an achievement-laden résumé that rivals anyone in the sport’s history.
Neeraj’s 2025 season is just getting started. This was only his second competition of the year, and the early signs are ominous for his competitors. With the 90m barrier finally in the rear-view mirror, Chopra is likely to compete with even more freedom.
His next big target? The World Athletics Final later this year and possibly pushing that personal best even further. Jan Železný’s 98.48m world record may still be distant, but a top-10 all-time mark (above 91.20m) is well within reach.
A Nation Celebrates
From legends like Milkha Singh and PT Usha to recent stars like Hima Das and Murali Sreeshankar, Indian athletics has had many milestones. But few have carried the weight of national expectation like Neeraj’s 90m quest.
And now, it’s done.
It took years of training, patience, heartbreak, and belief. But on a balmy Doha night, Neeraj Chopra let fly — and the javelin carried the hopes of a billion Indians past the final frontier.
India’s golden boy is now part of javelin’s elite club.
Neeraj Chopra: Olympic Champion. World Champion. And now, a 90-metre man.
