World champion Neeraj Chopra finishes second in Diamond League

Newly-crowned world champion Neeraj Chopra was not at his best but still finished second with a final round throw of 85.71m in the men's javelin event of the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich on Thursday. The 25-year-old Chopra, also the reigning Olympic champion, produced three legal throws of 80.79m, 85.22m and 85.71m while the remaining three were fouls. He finished behind Jakub Vadlejch (85.86m) of Czech Republic, who had won a bronze in the World Championships. The Indian superstar, who was unbeaten this season before Thursday, qualified for the Diamond League finals to be held on September 17 in Eugene, USA, with 23 points from three meets. He had won the Diamond League trophy last year.
Chopra got back up in the standings with an 85.22m throw in his fourth attempt, taking him to second place behind leader Jakub Vadlejch. Chopra committed another foul in his fifth attempt to stay second behind Vadlejch. In his final attempt, Chopra threw a distance of 85.71m, almost overtaking Vadlejch’s best attempt of 85.86m.The second-place finish in Zurich also continued Neeraj's fine run in Diamond League competitions. Neeraj had won the Diamond League final in 2022 in the same city with a throw of 88.44m. He would then carry this form into 2023 as he won in Doha and followed it up with victory in Lausanne with a throw of 87.67m.