On May 16, 2025, Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden boy of athletics, made history at the Doha Diamond League 2025 by breaching the elusive 90-metre barrier in the men’s javelin throw for the first time in his career. With a career-best throw of 90.23 metres, he became the 25th athlete globally to join the prestigious 90m club. Despite this monumental achievement, Chopra settled for second place as Germany’s Julian Weber clinched victory with a stunning 91.06-metre throw.
Chopra’s Performance at Qatar Sports Club
A Record-Breaking Journey
Competing at the Qatar Sports Club Stadium, Neeraj Chopra started strong with an 88.44-metre throw in his first attempt, taking the lead. His second attempt was a foul, but he roared back in the third round, launching the javelin to a historic 90.23 metres, surpassing his previous national record of 89.94 metres set in 2022. However, Julian Weber stole the show with a 91.06-metre throw in the final round, securing the top spot.
| Athlete | Best Throw | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Julian Weber (Germany) | 91.06 metres | 1st |
| Neeraj Chopra (India) | 90.23 metres | 2nd |
Significance of the 90m Milestone
Joining the Elite Club
The 90-metre mark is considered the gold standard in javelin throwing, achieved only 126 times in history. Chopra’s feat places him among legends like Jan Zelezny, Johannes Vetter, and Arshad Nadeem. As the third Asian to cross this threshold, following Nadeem and Chinese Taipei’s Chao-Tsun Cheng, Chopra’s achievement underscores the rarity and difficulty of this milestone.
Guidance Under Jan Zelezny
A New Chapter
This was Chopra’s first major competition under the guidance of Jan Zelezny, a three-time Olympic champion and world record holder with a throw of 98.48 metres. The switch from his previous coach, Klaus Bartonietz, marks an exciting phase in Chopra’s career, with Zelezny’s expertise helping him achieve the 90m breakthrough. This performance sets high expectations for the World Championships and upcoming Olympics.
Parul Chaudhary’s National Record
Shining in Steeplechase
India’s Parul Chaudhary also shone at the Doha Diamond League 2025, setting a new national record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:13.39. Finishing sixth in a competitive field, she improved significantly from her 16th-place debut in Eugene last year, raising the bar for Indian athletics.
Looking Ahead
A Strong Season Start
The Doha meet was critical for Chopra, as the NC Classic 2025 in Bengaluru was cancelled, limiting his competitive opportunities this month. His statement performance in Qatar lays a strong foundation for the season, igniting excitement among Indian sports fans for his future events, including the World Championships in Tokyo.
Key Highlights of the Event
- Neeraj Chopra breached the 90m barrier with a 90.23-metre throw on May 16, 2025, at the Doha Diamond League.
- Chopra finished second behind Julian Weber, who won with a 91.06-metre throw.
- Parul Chaudhary set a national record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase with 9:13.39.
- Chopra’s feat under coach Jan Zelezny marks him as the 25th athlete in the 90m club.
- The performance sets the stage for the World Championships and Olympics.