Neeraj Chopra Become First Indian To Win Diamond League

Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra made athletics history again in Lausanne on 26th August 26 by becoming the first Indian to win a Diamond League title.

Neeraj Chopra, an Olympic champion and silver medalist at the World Championships, made a triumphant comeback by conquering the Lausanne Diamond League. 

Additionally, he guaranteed his place in the Diamond League final, which will take place in Zurich within the first week of September. 

Chopra’s victory on Friday marked his first victory in a Diamond League competition, and he will now have the opportunity to win the javelin throw event.

Chopra won the competition with 8 points thanks to his first throw of 89.09 meters, which was his third-best throw ever. 

Chopra, who competed in two Diamond Leagues (4 of which included the javelin throw), finished fourth overall with 15 points. The top six competitors advance to the final.

Chopra fouled his third, fourth, and fifth attempts following his second try, which was 85.18 meters long. Chopra’s final throw measured 80.04 meters. But by that point, he had already qualified for the championship.

Chopra has set his sights on the 90-meter mark, and it might only be a period of time before he succeeds. He will have one more chance this year in the Zurich final, and then his season is likely over.

Having strained his groin during his 4th throw at the World Championships, Chopra withdrew from the Commonwealth Games.

But his first throw in Lausanne demonstrated that he was nearly at the top of his game on the return. Chopra set the national record at the Stockholm Diamond League with a distance of 89.94 meters. 

Athletes are awarded points based on their finishes in the Diamond League competitions, which do not award medals.

Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who had 20 points prior to Lausanne, didn’t have a spectacular performance. 

His day’s best throw was 84.56 meters. Second-placed German in the standings Julian Webber did not compete, while defending World Champion Anderson Peters will not return this season after being injured in an incident on a boat.

Chopra said he wanted to add the Diamond League championship to his resume after taking home silver at the World Championships. He also won gold at the Asian Games as well as the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

Chopra competed in the Diamond League for the first time in almost four years at the Stockholm tournament in June.

Then, the world champion Anderson Peters defeated the Olympic champion. He had never previously placed in the top 3 in the Diamond League competition.