Neeraj Chopra won the javelin throw event at the prestigious Diamond League meet in Lausanne with the best effort of 89.08m. Neeraj made history as the first Indian. Notably, earlier he won silver in the World Athletics Championship. However, he could not play in the Commonwealth Games. Because at that time Neeraj was injured. But this time he won the hearts of Indians again. For the first time in Diamond League history, an Indian became the first to add another feather to the country’s crown.
Highlights:-
• Became the first Indian to win gold in the Lausanne Diamond League
• History of Neeraj Chopra after recovering from injury
The 24-year-old Olympic champion suffered a groin injury while winning a historic silver medal at the world championships in Eugene, USA last month. Because of that, he could not participate in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Now he has recovered from that injury and made a great comeback.
The competition was held at the La Pontes Stadium in Switzerland. Neeraj Chopra threw 85.18 meters in his second attempt. Skipped the third attempt though.
A top-three finish here would guarantee Chopra’s place in the Diamond League finals to be held in Zurich on September 7 and 8, as she sits fourth in the rankings with seven points. He achieved his first podium finish in second place at the Stockholm leg on 30 June.
Making history, India’s ‘golden boy’ took the first place in the diamond league organized in Lausanne. And with that, he became the first Indian to play in the Diamond League finals.
“I am very happy with today’s performance after taking the number one spot in Lausanne. 89 meters is a good result for me. It feels better to be able to perform this way after coming back from injury. After today’s performance I understand that I am recovering quickly. Couldn’t play in Commonwealth Games due to injury. I was able to boost my confidence by performing well here. Hopefully, I can do better in the Diamond League Finals in Zurich” said Neeraj.
Neeraj’s performance at Diamond League in Lausanne
First attempt: 89.90m
Second attempt: 85.18 meters
Third attempt: Skip
Fourth attempt: Foul
Neeraj Chopra, a resident of Khandara village near Panipat, Haryana, became the first Indian to win the Diamond League crown. Before Chopra, discus thrower Vikas Gowda was the only Indian to make the top three in the Diamond League. Neeraj Chopra is the only Indian to win a gold medal at the olympics in the track and field events for India. He is the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in men’s javelin throw.
Chopra also qualified for the 2024 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary by breaching the 85.20m qualifying mark.At the world championships in Eugene, USA, he was not in medal position until the third round but here Chopra led from the first throw to the finish even though the field of eight was not as strong.
