Zurich Diamond League 2023: Neeraj Chopra bags silver medal in javelin throw
Chopra's final throw secured him a commendable 85.71m mark, placing him behind the Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch who led with 85.86m.
Just a week fresh from his crowning as the world champion, India’s Neeraj Chopra delivered another impressive performance at the Zurich Diamond League 2023. He clinched a second-place finish in the fiercely contested men’s javelin throw event held in Switzerland on Friday.
Chopra’s final throw secured him a commendable 85.71m mark, placing him behind the Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch who led with 85.86m. Even though Chopra’s record-setting throw stands at an impressive 89.94m, a national record, this event marked the end of his winning streak in the 2023 season.
Before this meet, Chopra had been on a roll, bagging victories in the Diamond League legs in Doha and Lausanne, followed by a historic gold win at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. “I feel very good now,” Chopra said, emphasizing his focus on staying healthy and performing at his best in upcoming competitions.
Chopra competed in the same Letzigrund Stadium where he emerged as the 2022 Diamond League champion last year. Despite a rocky start with a modest 80.79m in his initial throw, and fouls on his second and third attempts, he managed to climb up the ranks with an 85.22m on his fourth attempt.
The competition heated up with a three-way sixth-round shootout involving Chopra, Jakub Vadlejch, the Tokyo 2020 silver medallist, and Germany’s Julian Weber, the reigning European champion. After Vadlejch fouled, Chopra came through with an 85.71m, just 0.15m short of Vadlejch’s leading mark.
Neeraj Chopra’s marks at Zurich Diamond League 2023 : 80.79m, No mark, No mark, 85.22m, No mark, 85.71m
Unlike traditional sporting events, athletes in the Diamond League series earn points instead of medals. The top six athletes from each event across all the legs qualify for the Diamond League Final in Eugene in September. Chopra, with his outstanding performances, had already sealed his place in the finals before stepping into the Zurich meet.
Please, also have a look into : Neeraj Chopra brings home first Gold medal for India at Tokyo Olympics
