India's javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra took part in the Lausanne Diamond League 2024 athletics event in Switzerland on Friday and finished second. Anderson Peters came first with a throw of 90.16 meters. Javelin field at the Diamond League was full of stars as the top six ranked in the recent Olympics competed against each other. It was not an easy job for Neeraj to finish first following his groin injury but he still did pretty well. Pakistan's golden boy Arshad Nadeem who won gold medal at the recent Paris Olympics 2024 skipped the meet.
Neeraj Chopra finished second in the Lausanne Diamond League with a sensational last throw, which enabled him to record a season's best of 89.49m, 4cm longer than he threw at the Paris Olympics. It was the second best throw of his career, and another reminder of the frightening consistency of a man who has now not finished outside the top two at any event starting from his gold-medal winning effort at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
It was a night that, for large parts, served as a reminder of the discomfort that Neeraj has referenced recently, due to injuries which have limited his movement and impacted his technique. But, right at the end, he found the groove and the never-say-die spirit that is associated with champions. Unlike the Paris Olympics two weeks ago, where he registered only one legal throw, Neeraj registered marks with each of his six throws in the competition here, and nearly hit that magical 90m mark as well with his final one.
Neeraj was in danger of not even making the top three after the first four throws, not one of which went beyond 84m, which is unlike him. However, at the big moment, he pulled out a good throw, with an 85.58m effort which put him into the final round showdown against Peters and Weber. Peters, who went first in that final round, seemed to have snuffed out any threat from the other two with the biggest throw of the night straightaway - a superb 90.61m effort. Weber, who earlier threw 87.08m, didn't improve on it, and then Neeraj stepped up, and we saw a rare sight in recent times.
At Paris and early on here, he was admonishing himself after throws, not particularly liking what he doing. But after that last throw, the right arm went up, it was a sign that he was happy with it; and for good reason. It hit the floor 89.49m away, and gave him seven more Diamond League points to go with the seven that he had accumulated in Doha earlier this year.
It is now very likely that Neeraj will qualify for the Diamond League final in Brussels next month, as he aims to regain a trophy that he won in 2022.
It kept up one proud record too. Neeraj's last finish outside the top two at any competition was at the 2021 Kuortane Games, where he finished third with a throw of 86.79m. The consistency and the mental resilience that enables Neeraj to keep fighting at the top end of every big event was once again on show in Lausanne. The reaction after that final throw, despite it being his season's best, also showed the hunger - and what seems to have now turned into an obsession - to hit the 90m mark in the near future.
Lausanne Diamond League Highlights
Neeraj Chopra was not entirely happy despite winning the silver medal at the Paris Olympics. He was dethroned as the Olympic champion by Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who won gold in Paris with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m. Neeraj won silver with a best effort of 89.45m.
Neeraj, who had been stressing consistency, spoke about the need to push the limits and aim for 90-plus throws. Considering the lingering injury issues, it remains to be seen if Neeraj will push himself in Lausanne. However, Neeraj will be keen on finishing on the top step of the podium and pushing towards sealing a spot in the Diamond League final.
Neeraj can complete a hat-trick of victories in Lausanne if he tops the 10-man field. Neeraj has been training in Switzerland in the lead-up to the big show on Thursday.
The Road to 90m
Neeraj Chopra has been aiming to beat the 90 m for quite sometime now and commented on it after the Paris Olympics. The Indian ace said he is leaving it to the gods for now and will try his best in the next few competitions. (READ)
“I need to leave it to the gods now,” Chopra remarked when asked about his target throw in the near future. “I just want to prepare well and see where the javelin goes. There has already been so much talk about the 90-meter mark; now I feel like just letting it be. In Paris, I thought it would happen, and it could have happened. Now I will give my 100 percent in the next two or three events and see what happens,”
Looking Ahead
Neeraj Chopra will face some stiff competition at the Lausanne Diamond League. Paris bronze medallist Anderson Peters is also going to participate in Lausanne. Apart from the duo, veterans Julius Yego and Jakub Vadlejch are also going to be present in the field. Neeraj will hope to retain his Lausanne Diamond League title, having won it back-to-back in 2022 and 2023.
The Final Word
Neeraj Chopra's performance at the Lausanne Diamond League was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite a lingering groin injury, he managed to finish second with a season-best throw. His pursuit of the 90m mark continues, and fans will be eagerly awaiting his next performance in Brussels next month.
