Neeraj Chopra: Why India Javelin Star Finished Second, Missed Crown By Just 1cm In Diamond League?

Neeraj Chopra came agonizingly close to securing his second Diamond League title but ultimately fell short by just one centimeter. In the season finale held in Zurich, Switzerland, Chopra finished as runner-up with a best throw of 87.86 meters.

Despite his valiant effort, Chopra was narrowly outdone by Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who clinched the Diamond League crown with a throw of 87.87 meters.

The Indian javelin throw superstar, who has a personal best of 89.94m and season’s best of 89.49m, had a series of 86.82m, 83.49m, 87.86m, 82.04m, 83.30m and 86.46m.

Neeraj Chopra Injury Battles

Chopra has been battling a groin injury throughout the season, which has hampered his progress and prevented him from reaching his full potential. The injury has limited his training and competition time, making it difficult for him to consistently achieve the high-caliber throws that he is capable of.

Groin injuries are particularly problematic for javelin throwers, as the sport demands immense power and rotational movement from the hips and core. For Chopra, this injury not only restricted his movement but also impacted his ability to generate the force needed to hit longer throws.

According to a report in indianexpress.com, Chopra has himself admitted that he can add 2 or 3 metres at least if the injury is healed.

“It is difficult to compete despite an injury. Instead of the performance, you focus more on not aggravating the injury,” he was quoted as saying by the Hindu.

For now, while his Diamond League campaign ended in a narrow second-place finish, Chopra’s resilience and determination suggest that his best performances are yet to come.

The 90m mark, once seen as a distant goal, may still be within his grasp, provided he can overcome his injury struggles and continue his remarkable journey in javelin throwing.