Paris- India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured a resounding victory at the 2025 Paris Diamond League on Friday night, marking his first major title of the year and reaffirming his elite status in global athletics. With an exceptional first-round throw of 88.16 meters, Chopra outshone a competitive field and finished ahead of Germany’s Julian Weber and Brazil’s Luiz Maurício da Silva.
The Olympic champion's very first attempt proved to be the winning mark, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. Julian Weber, who had previously bested Chopra this season, managed a strong 87.88 meters but fell short of overtaking the Indian thrower. Brazil’s da Silva delivered a personal best of 86.62 meters to claim third place on the podium.
Chopra’s performance in Paris comes as a significant rebound following earlier competitions this season. He had posted a season-best of 90.23 meters in Doha but finished second to Weber, who threw 91.06 meters. Chopra also faced defeat at the Janusz Kusociński Memorial, managing 84.14 meters behind Weber. However, his Paris triumph ends a nearly two-year gap since his last Diamond League win in Lausanne in June 2023.
The field at the Paris meet was stacked with top-tier talent, including multiple throwers with personal bests above 90 meters such as Anderson Peters, Keshorn Walcott, Julius Yego, and others. Chopra’s win amidst such formidable competitors underscores his technical prowess and mental resilience.
Despite registering three fouls in the event, Chopra also recorded throws of 85.10 meters and a final round effort of 82.89 meters. He later expressed satisfaction with the win but noted that he hopes to improve his run-up speed and rhythm in upcoming meets.
With this victory, Chopra extended his podium streak to 24 consecutive top-three finishes since 2020. He remains the only Indian athlete to have won multiple Diamond League titles.
Looking ahead, Chopra is scheduled to compete at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava on June 24, followed by the much-anticipated Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5. His focus now shifts to accumulating more points for the Zurich Diamond League Final in August and preparing for key events like the World Championships and the 2026 Olympics.
Chopra’s continued excellence not only bolsters his own legacy but also inspires a new generation of Indian athletes aiming for global recognition in track and field.