India's 'golden boy' Neeraj Chopra's stellar 2025: From touching 90m mark to heartbreaking 26-event streak end
Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra finished second at the Doha Diamond League meeting javelin throw event as his big final effort of 88.36m fell short by two centimetres of Jakub Vadlejch's winning effort in Doha on Friday.
Chopra focussing on rehabilitation of his back injury, season opener not known yet: Sumariwalla
'I'm looking forward to what 2026 has in store. I started my preparation in early November. As always, the goal is to stay healthy, and I am already excited to be competing again soon.'
The country also mounted bids on some high-profile continental and global events, including the 2031 World Athletics Championships with Ahmedabad as the proposed venue.
From Royal Challengers Bengaluru's historic first IPL title to star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finally breaking the iconic 90-meter mark to India women winning their first cricket World Cup, this was the year of long-awaited victories and record-breaking feats.
They weren't up for a windfall even after the trophy but life was certain to get a lot better as some sponsors and state governments stepped up to lift them financially.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will begin the season at the Doha Diamond League.
Neeraj Chopra beat a star-studded field with a best throw of 88.67m to begin his season in style.
Neeraj-led four Indians to compete in Doha Diamond League on May 16
'In Doha, the 90m throw was really good, but technically I don't want to say that was perfect.'
History was made under the Doha lights as Neeraj Chopra finally broke the 90-meter barrier - a mark he had chased for years.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra faces the likes of reigning World champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic in a star-studded field in Doha.
'I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.'
Neeraj Chopra spoke a bit about his hopes from the next season, his love for all things Swiss and the eager traveller in him who doesn't mind giving in to occasionally unplanned wanderlust.
Neeraj Chopra is set to face Nadeem for the first time after the 2024 Paris Olympics, giving him a chance to avenge his second-place finish in the French capital.
eeraj Chopra endured a nightmarish outing at the World Championships' men's javelin throw finals to end a disappointing eighth at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra dropped a heart-warming message for his German rival Julian Weber after the duo breached the 90 metres mark for the first time in their stellar careers.
Clearly, Chopra was not at his best in the season's Diamond League grand finale. He had three legal throws out of the six attempts.
Neeraj Chopra made it look effortless as he sealed his spot at the World Athletics Championships with a stunning first throw in Tokyo on Wednesday.
India's world champion Neeraj Chopra dethroned Grenada's Anderson Peters to reclaim the number one spot in men's javelin throw world rankings following a string of brilliant performances on the international stage recently.
If the two-time Olympic medallist Indian wins gold on September 18, the day of the finals, he will become the third men ever to win the world championships javelin title in two consecutive editions.
After breaching the coveted 90m mark in Doha, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is aiming for an even bigger throw at the ORLEN Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet in Poland.
Neeraj Chopra's streak of top-two finishes at events continued as he secured the second spot with the best throw of 85.01 m during the competition.
Double Olympic-medallist Neeraj Chopra showed his generous and compassionate side, surprising a fan with an all-expense paid trip to watch the Neeraj Chopra Classic, to be held in Bengaluru next week.
Neeraj Chopra may have clinched the Golden Spike title in his maiden appearance at the meet, but the former Olympic champion was far from satisfied with his performance.
'The monkey is off his back and he is now free to push his limits'.
Ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, widely admired for his humility and poise, on Saturday acknowledged the greatness of India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who he believes can be a javelin throw star.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra delivered a landmark performance at the Doha Diamond League, becoming the first Indian ever to breach the 90-metre barrier in men's javelin throw.
Images from the Diamond League meet at Qatar Sports Club Stadium, Doha, on Friday.
Two-time Olympic medallist Chopra won gold at the Potch Invitational Track event in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on Wednesday.
Chopra and Nadeem will be facing each other one year after the mouth-watering men's javelin competition in Paris on August 8, 2024, when the Pakistani had beaten the Indian for the gold with a stunning 92.97m throw.
'I didn't expect such a crowd and support in the first season.'
Neeraj Chopra to compete in event in Poland on May 23
Neeraj Chopra said he will need to work harder on his core muscles and make his body stronger to consistently log 90-plus distances in international competitions.
Julian Weber finished atop the pile with a throw of 86.12m.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic, a star-studded global javelin event featuring double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, will be held in Panchkula on May 24.
Double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra will kick off his season at the Doha Diamond League on May 16.
More 90m throws to come this season: Neeraj Chopra
Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Sunday clarified that he is not injured but has pulled out of the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czech Republic on May 28 as a precautionary measure after he felt "something" on his adductor muscles during a recent training session.
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