It seemed to be Neeraj Chopra’s night in Doha, having made history with his first 90-plus metre throw of his career, at the Diamond League Meeting. However, Germany's Julian Weber had other ideas.
Chopra, 27, recorded 90.23m in his third attempt, becoming the third Asian and 25th overall to achieve the feat. Current Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem (92.97m) of Pakistan and Chao-Tsun Cheng (91.36m) of Chinese Taipei are the two other Asians to have breached the elusive 90-m mark.
Chopra began with a throw of 88.44m, followed by a foul attempt. After the record-setting throw, his next three attempts were 80.56m, foul and 88.20m.
Neeraj Chopra joins the 90M 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 🔥 👏 🇮🇳 Neeraj Chopra finally broke the 90m barrier for the first time in his career, with a throw of 90.23 at the Doha Diamond League. #NeerajChopra pic.twitter.com/zopYfa45Xk
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) May 16, 2025
The Indian double Olympic medallist looked all set to clinch the top spot, before Weber dashed his hopes with a 91.06m throw in his sixth and final attempt. It was the German's first 90m-plus effort as well, and it is the leading mark this season so far.
Two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada came third with a throw of 84.65m.
Chopra said it was a “bitter-sweet” experience. "My coach Jan Zelezny said today is the day when I can throw 90m. The wind helps and the weather is a little warm and that helps. I also told Julian that we can throw 90m. I am also happy for him (Julian Weber).
"I believe I can throw farther than this in the coming events. We will work on some aspects and will throw 90m plus again this season," Chopra added.
A spectacular feat! Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for breaching the 90 m mark at Doha Diamond League 2025 and achieving his personal best throw. This is the outcome of his relentless dedication, discipline and passion. India is elated and proud. @Neeraj_chopra1 pic.twitter.com/n33Zw4ZfIt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 17, 2025
India’s Kishore Jena finished eighth with a below-par throw of 78.60m.
Chopra is currently being coached by Jan Zelezny of Czechia, whose world record stands at 98.48m since 1996. The two came together in November last year.
What next for Neeraj Chopra?
Chopra will get another chance to better his record at the 71st ORLEN Janusz Kusocinski Memorial event in Chorzow, Poland, on May 23. He is also set to compete at the Golden Spike 2025 athletics meet in Ostrava, Czechia, on June 24 (he pulling out of the last two editions due to injuries).
The Doha leg is the third of the Diamond League series.
