Zurich Diamond League Highlights: Neeraj Chopra finishes 2nd; Yakub at top

World Champion and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra secured the second position in the men's javelin throw event with the best throw of 85.71 m at Zurich in early hours of Friday (September 1) in the Wanda Diamond League 2023He registered three fouls. Czech Republic's Yakub Vadlejch ended the Zurich leg of Wanda Diamond League at the top with a best throw of 85.86 metres.Germany's Julian Weber got the third position with the best throw of 85.04 m.

 

Neeraj started the first attempt with a throw of 80.79 metre. Edis Matusevičius of Lithuania took the lead with a throw of 81.62 m. Edis ended the first round with a lead.
 

In the second attempt, Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch threw a solid 83.46 m, dropping Edis and Neeraj one spot down each. Neeraj's second attempt was a foul, keeping him at number three. Then, Germany's Julian Weber struck a throw of 84.75 m. Neeraj as a result, dropped down to number 5. Weber ended the round two with a lead and Neeraj was at number five.

Neeraj's third attempt also turned out to be a foul, keeping him at number five spot. Weber ended the round three with his lead intact.

In the fourth attempt, Czech's Jakub took the lead in the 10-man field with a throw of 85.86 m. Neeraj was still in the fifth spot. Neeraj's fourth throw was a massive 85.22 m, which took him to the number two spot. Jakub finished round 4 with a lead, with Neeraj at second spot.

Neeraj's fifth throw was a foul. However, he had still done enough to stay at number 2. The World Champion committed his third foul in the event. He ended the second last round with number two, with Jakub's lead still intact, even though he committed a foul as well.

What is Neeraj Chopra’s standing in the Diamond League?

Neeraj, who has participated in three of the four Javelin events, stands at the third position behind Vadlejch and Webber who have 29 and 25 points on the board from four events each. India’s Neeraj finished at the top in first two events while in the third (Zuich leg), he occupied second spot.

When is the Diamond League 2023 final?

The Zurich leg was the last one in the Diamond League series where the men's javelin throw event is on the roster before the season finale in Eugene, USA on September 16-17 where the Diamond League champion will be crowned. The top six in the points table will compete in Eugene after four qualification meetings. Chopra won the title in the 2022 finale held in Zurich.

Diamond League standings

Diamond League rankings
Country	Athlete	Points
CZE	VADLEJCH Jakub	29
GER	WEBER Julian	25
IND	CHOPRA Neeraj	23
GRN	PETERS Anderson	18
TTO	WALCOTT Keshorn	11
FIN	HELANDER Oliver	10

 

Can Neeraj Chopra reach the 90-meter mark?

Among the top four rank holders in the Diamond League, which includes Grenda’s Anderson Pteres alongside Neeraj, Weber and Vadlejch, the Indian is the only one with no throws in the sub-90-metre zone. Neeraj’s personal best throw is 89.94 metres while his season's best was achieved at the World Athletics Championships 2023 where he threw 88.77 meters.

Neeraj Chopra best throws so far
Rank	Throw	Competition	Date
1	89.94m	Stockholm Diamond League 2022	30-Jun-22
2	89.30m	Paavo Nurmi Games (Turku, Finland)	14-Jun-22
3	89.08m	Lausanne Diamond League 2022	26-Aug-22
4	88.77m	World Athletics Championships 2023 (Budapest) - Q	25-Aug-23
5	88.67m	Doha Diamond League 2023 (Qatar)	5-May-23
6	88.44m	Zurich Diamond League Final 2022	8-Sep-22
7	88.39m	World Athletics Championships 2022 (Oregon) - Q	21-Jul-22
8	88.17m	World Athletics Championships 2023 (Budapest) - F	27-Aug-23
9	88.13m	World Athletics Championships 2022 (Oregon) - F	23-Jul-22
10	88.07m	Indian Grand Prix 3 (Patiala, India)	5-Mar-21
11	88.06m	Asian Games 2018 (Jakarta, Indonesia)	27-Aug-18
12	88.00m	Zurich Diamond League Final 2022	8-Sep-22
13	87.86m	ACNW League Meeting 1 (Potchefstroom, South Africa)	28-Jan-20
14	87.80m	Federation Cup (Patiala, India)	17-Mar-21
15	87.73m	World Athletics Championships 2023 (Budapest) - F	27-Aug-23
16	87.66m	Lausanne Diamond League 2023 (Switzerland)	30-Jun-23
17	87.58m	Tokyo 2020 Olympics Finals (Japan)	7-Aug-21
18	87.46m	Stockholm Diamond League 2022	30-Jun-22
19	87.43m	Doha Diamond League (Qatar)	4-May-18
20	87.03m	Tokyo 2020 Olympics Finals (Japan)	7-Aug-21
21	87.00m	Zurich Diamond League Final 2022	8-Sep-22
22	86.92m	Paavo Nurmi Games (Turku, Finland)	14-Jun-22
23	86.84m	Stockholm Diamond League 2022	30-Jun-22
24	86.79m	Kuortane Games 2021 (Finland)	26-Jun-21
25	86.69m	Kuortane Games 2022 (Finland)	18-Jun-22
26	86.67m	Stockholm Diamond League 2022	30-Jun-22
27	86.65m	Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualifying (Japan)	4-Aug-21
28	86.52m	Doha Diamond League 2023 (Qatar)	5-May-23
29	86.48m	World U20 Championships 2016 (Bydgoszcz, Poland)	23-Jul-16
30	86.47m	Commonwealth Games 2018 (Gold Coast, Australia)	14-Apr-18

Neeraj Chopra Javelin throw world record

When Neeraj won World Athletics Championships title, the Indian superstar also became only the third javelin thrower in history to hold both the Olympic and World Championships titles after world record holder Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway.

Zelezny clinched the Olympics gold in 1992, 1996 and 2000 while winning the World Championships title in 1993, 1995 and 2001. Thorkildsen won the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 World Championships.

Neeraj Chopra's records at major competitions
Event	Edition	Distance	Result
Olympic Games	Tokyo 2020	87.58m	Gold medal
Asian Games	Jakarta 2018	88.06m	Gold medal
Diamond League	Stockholm 2022	89.94m	Second place
Commonwealth Games	Gold Coast 2018	86.47m	Gold medal
World Championships	Oregon 2022	88.39m	Second place - Q
Asian Championships	Bhubaneshwar 2017	85.23m	Gold medal
World U20 Championships	Bydgoszcz 2016	86.48m	Gold medal
Asian Junior Championships	Ho Chi-Minh 2016	77.60m	Silver medal
South Asian Games	Guwahati 2016	82.23m	Gold medal

1:35 AM

Zurich Diamond League highlights: Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw event

Neeraj Chopra remains at the third spot in Diamond League standings with total points of 23 behind Czech's Yakub Vadlejch (29) and Germany's Julian Weber (25).

Neeraj Chopra. Photo: ANI

1:24 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra registers a throw of 85.71 metres in the 6th and final attempt. He finishes the Zurich leg of Wanda Diamond League at 2nd attempt. 

Yakub Vadlejch finishes at top with a best throw of 85.86 metres. Germany's Julian Weber remains at third spot (85.04 m).

(Photo credit: Screenshot from Wanda Diamond League)

 

1:11 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

A rare off day for Neeraj Chopra it seems. He fouls in the 5th attempt as well. He has registered only two throw, with the best of 85.22. He is at the 2nd spot at the moment. Top three will go in the 6th and final attempt.

(Photo credit: Screenshot from Wanda Diamond League)

12:57 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

And here comes the India's golden boy. With a throw of 85.22 metres in 4th attempt, Neeraj Chopra leapfrogged to 2nd spot.

Remember: Only top three compete for the 6th and final attempt.

(Photo credit: Screenshot from Wanda Diamond League)

12:55 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra is getting ready for his 4th attempt. He needs to record a better. He has a throw of 80.79 metres in first attempt and then two fouls which drops him to 5th spot.

12:54 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

Czec Republic's Jakub Vadlejch moves to top with a throw of 85.86 metres in his 4th attempt. 

12:51 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

Germany's Julian Weber improves with a throw of 85.04 in 4th attempt. He continues to be at the top of the leaderboard.

12:47 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

According to diamond League rules, only the top three at the end of the fifth round will compete in the 6th and final round. After two fouls and a throw of 80.79, Neeraj Chopra is at the 5th spot with two more attempts in hand. He needs to finish in top three. 

charts

(Photo credit: Wanda Diamond League

12:36 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra fouled in the third throw as well. Germany's Julian Weber has the best throw (84.79) as of now.

12:31 AM

Neeraj Chopra LIVE at Zurich Diamond League

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of Javelin throw event at Wanda Diamond League in Zurich.

Neeraj Chopra starts with 80.79 metre throw in first attempt. While fouled in the second attempt.

Neeraj Chopra