- Neeraj Chopra threw 90.23m at Doha Diamond League, joining elite 90m club.
- Coach Jan Zelezny predicted Chopra would hit 90m, boosting his confidence.
- Despite finishing second, Chopra aims to improve further before World Championships.
Neeraj Chopra finally crossed the coveted 90-meter mark with a 90.23m throw in his third attempt at the Doha Diamond League. This achievement places him among the world‘s top javelin throwers, including his coach Jan Zelezny, who himself is a former world record holder.
Chopra’s coach, Zelezny, who began working closely with him earlier this year, expressed strong belief in Chopra’s potential. The Czech legend accompanied Chopra to Doha specifically because he believed this would be the day Chopra could achieve 90m.
Neeraj Chopra and Julian Weber Duel to Break 90m Barrier in Thrilling Doha Diamond League
Neeraj Chopra’s 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League marked a major personal and professional milestone, breaking a barrier that had eluded him for five years. It also made him the third Asian and 25th athlete globally to cross the 90-meter threshold. His achievement is a testament to his perseverance, especially while recovering from a groin injury that affected his previous seasons.
Germany’s Julian Weber added drama to the event by surpassing Chopra’s mark with a 91.06m throw on his final attempt, securing the gold medal. Weber, like Chopra, achieved his first 90m-plus throw in this competition, making it a historic moment for both athletes. Their rivalry promises to push the limits of javelin throwing in the season ahead.
Chopra credited favorable weather conditions and expert guidance from his coach Jan Zelezny for his performance. Zelezny’s coaching started in earnest just months ago, but his experience and encouragement have clearly been instrumental in helping Chopra reach this milestone. Chopra remains focused on fine-tuning his technique and achieving consistent 90m-plus throws.
Despite finishing second, Chopra took the outcome in stride, highlighting that he had experienced similar results before while setting national records. With the World Championships in Tokyo approaching in September, Chopra is confident that this breakthrough is just the beginning of a season full of strong performances.
Neeraj Chopra’s breakthrough at the Doha Diamond League signals a new chapter in his career—healthy, confident, and guided by a legendary coach, he’s poised to reach even greater distances this season.
“When I was having warm-up throws, my coach said, today is the day when I can throw 90m.” — Neeraj Chopra
