Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and World Champion, once again displayed nerves of steel and elite-level consistency as he finished second at the 71st ORLEN Janusz Kusociński Memorial in Chorzów, Poland, with a clutch final throw of 84.14m.
The performance extends his remarkable streak of 22 consecutive podium finishes — a run that began almost four years ago and now stretches back to June 26, 2021.
The Indian javelin star entered the final round of throws at the event placed third, behind Germany’s Julian Weber and Grenada’s Anderson Peters. With only one valid throw in his first four attempts and trailing the leaders, Neeraj was clearly not at his best in the early rounds. But champions are made of resilience — and Chopra reminded the world why he is among the sport’s elite.
Slow Start in Challenging Conditions
The evening didn’t begin smoothly for Neeraj. His opening throw was below par and immediately fouled. He followed it with a safe but unremarkable 81.28m in the second round. Conditions seemed to be challenging, and while no athlete had crossed the 85m mark early on, Julian Weber soon broke that barrier with an impressive 86.12m in his second attempt — a mark that would ultimately win him the competition.
By the third round, Chopra had fouled again. After three throws, he was in third place — with Anderson Peters finding 83.24m and Weber continuing a fine run of form that he has carried over from his performances in Doha.
The Recovery Begins
Neeraj’s fifth attempt saw some improvement, as he registered 81.80m, a slight bump from his second-round mark. But that wasn’t enough to trouble the top two. Peters remained ahead, and Weber further solidified his lead by throwing past 85m for a third time — showcasing his consistency and strength in the field.
Heading into the sixth and final round, Neeraj found himself in a familiar yet tense position. In a competition where he had yet to find his rhythm, it all came down to the last throw — and once again, the Indian delivered when it mattered most.
With poise and precision, Chopra launched the spear to 84.14m, jumping ahead of Peters and ensuring a silver medal finish, maintaining his almost surreal record of always finishing in the top two since the Tokyo Olympics.
Streak of Greatness
Since his third-place finish at the Kuortane Games in 2021 — a meet remembered more for its wet conditions than its distances — Neeraj Chopra has been unmatched in his consistency. Over the course of nearly four years, he has competed in 22 competitions and has not missed the top two in a single one.
This record speaks volumes not just of his elite talent, but also of his ability to compete under pressure. In Chorzów, that composure and mental toughness were tested thoroughly — and passed with flying colors.
It is worth noting that in a period where global competition in men’s javelin has intensified, Chopra has remained at the very top, battling the likes of Peters, Weber, and Jakub Vadlejch across continents and consistently producing world-class performances.
Weber’s Day, Chopra’s Statement
While the headlines rightfully applaud Chopra for his remarkable streak, Julian Weber deserves credit for a commanding win. With a top throw of 86.12m and three throws beyond the 85m mark, the German has now bested Chopra in back-to-back competitions, including the Doha Diamond League earlier this season.
Weber and Chopra appear to be setting the early pace for the men’s javelin season in 2025 — a year that serves as a stepping stone to the World Championships and ultimately the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Next Stop: Ostrava
For Chopra, the next challenge lies at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava next month — another key stop on the World Athletics Continental Tour. With each event, he continues to fine-tune his form and adapt to varying conditions, all while staying laser-focused on the bigger goals ahead.
His performance in Chorzów will offer some key takeaways — especially on regaining rhythm early in the competition. Yet, the final result again reinforces a key trait that defines great athletes: the ability to deliver under pressure.
In a world where statistical greatness is often diluted by fleeting trends, Neeraj Chopra’s streak is not just a number — it’s a reflection of relentless discipline, athletic mastery, and unshakable mental focus. The fact that 5G phones had not launched in India when he last missed a podium in 2021 only adds to the mythical scale of this run.
As he continues his journey through the 2025 season, fans and followers of Indian athletics can rest assured that every time Chopra steps on the runway, he’s bringing more than just a spear — he’s bringing a legacy in motion.
Final Standings – 71st ORLEN Janusz Kusociński Memorial 2025
- Julian Weber (GER) – 86.12m
- Neeraj Chopra (IND) – 84.14m
- Anderson Peters (GRN) – 83.24m
As always, Neeraj Chopra keeps setting the bar — for himself, for his rivals, and for every aspiring athlete across India.
