Neeraj Chopra claims Paris Diamond League victory, surpassing Julian Weber

Indian javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra added another prestigious title to his name as he clinched the Paris Diamond League 2025 crown, defeating strong rivals including Julian Weber of Germany. With this victory, Chopra returned to the top of a Diamond League podium after nearly two years, reaffirming his position among the world’s best javelin throwers.

A Winning Throw in the Opening Round

The 27-year-old Neeraj Chopra sealed his Paris triumph with his first attempt, registering a massive 88.16 metres. This throw proved unbeatable in a field packed with top-tier talent, including five competitors from the elite 90m club.

While Chopra’s second throw measured a solid 85.10m, his next three attempts resulted in fouls. He closed his evening with a final round effort of 82.89m, which, though not his best, was enough to maintain his lead.

Julian Weber and Luiz Mauricio Da Silva Complete the Podium

Germany’s Julian Weber, who had earlier bested Chopra this season, settled for second place in Paris. His best was his opening throw of 87.88m, just short of Chopra’s mark.

Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva claimed third position with an impressive 86.62m achieved in his third attempt. The contest highlighted the fierce competition among the world’s top javelin throwers, but it was Chopra who rose above the rest.

Recent Rivalry With Julian Weber

This victory was particularly sweet for Chopra, as he had finished behind Weber in two recent encounters. At the Doha Diamond League leg on May 16, Chopra threw a personal season-best of 90.23m but ended up second after Weber unleashed a 91.06m throw in the final round.

Again, at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland on May 23, under cold and overcast conditions, Weber managed 86.12m to take the win, while Chopra recorded 84.14m for second place.

First Diamond League Title Since 2023

Paris marked Chopra’s first Diamond League title since June 2023, when he won in Lausanne with a throw of 87.66m. In the period between that win and his latest triumph, Chopra had to be content with six second-place finishes across various Diamond League meets.

This Paris win was also Chopra’s first-ever victory in the Paris Diamond League. The last time he competed at this venue was in 2017, as a junior world champion, where he finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m.

A Strong Start to the 2025 Season

Chopra opened his 2025 campaign with a title at an invitational meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, where he threw 84.52m. Although it was a category F event, it served as a good warm-up for the more competitive Diamond League circuit.

Upcoming Competitions for Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra’s packed schedule continues as he is set to participate in the Golden Spike athletics meet in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 24.

He will then return to India to host and compete in the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 5 in Bengaluru. This World Athletics category A meet is expected to draw global attention and strengthen India’s presence in the world athletics scene.