Neeraj Chopra Crosses 90m Mark at Doha Diamond League, Finishes Second
India’s golden boy of athletics, Neeraj Chopra, has finally achieved the long-pursued dream of breaching the 90-metre mark in javelin throw. At the Doha Diamond League 2025, held at the Qatar Sports Club, Chopra launched a phenomenal 90.23m throw in his third attempt, marking a historic personal milestone. However, despite the landmark effort, he had to settle for silver, as Germany’s Julian Weber claimed gold with a stunning 92m throw.
The 27-year-old, who is a two-time Olympic medallist and reigning World Champion, had come agonizingly close to the 90m barrier multiple times, often ending in the high 88s and 89s. The 90m mark was more than a number for Neeraj—it was symbolic, his Everest. By clearing it, Chopra became the 25th athlete in the world and the third Asian to do so, joining Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem (92.97m) and Chinese Taipei’s Chao-Tsun Cheng (91.36m).
Although Neeraj’s long-awaited breakthrough brought jubilation, it came with mixed emotions as he narrowly missed the top spot. His achievement is a testament to perseverance and the relentless pursuit of greatness, and it sets a high tone for the rest of the 2025 athletics season.
In the same javelin event, Kishore Jena finished eighth, showcasing India’s growing presence in the discipline.
Other Indian performances in Doha included:
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Gulveer Singh, who finished ninth in the men’s 5000m race, and
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Parul Chaudhary, who secured sixth place in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
The Doha meet served as a powerful start to the 2025 Diamond League season, especially for Neeraj Chopra, who finally etched his name into the elite 90m club. Despite not clinching the gold, Chopra’s feat has already made headlines and further solidified his status as India’s most celebrated track and field athlete.
