Neeraj Chopra Returns to Paris Diamond League After Eight Years
Neeraj Chopra's Comeback at the Paris Diamond League
India's Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion in javelin throw, Neeraj Chopra, is set to make his competitive return at the Paris Diamond League on June 20, 2025, at Stade Sebastien-Charlety, as reported by an athletics news source. This marks Neeraj's second appearance in the Diamond League this season, following his participation in Doha earlier this year.
First Appearance in Paris Since 2017
Interestingly, this will be Neeraj's first appearance at the Paris Diamond League since 2017. During that event, he achieved a throw of 84.67 meters, securing fifth place overall. The gold medal was claimed by Germany's Johannes Vetter, who recorded a throw of 88.74 meters.
Training Focus Ahead of 2024 Olympics
Neeraj had initially planned to compete in the 2024 Paris Diamond League but opted out to focus on rigorous training in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics, showcasing his commitment to peak performance.
Record-Setting Throws in 2025
In the 2025 season, Chopra has already made headlines with a national record-breaking throw. At the Doha Diamond League in May, he achieved a remarkable distance of 90.23 meters, surpassing his previous best of 89.94 meters set during the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022. Despite breaking the national record, he finished second in Doha, with Germany's Julian Weber taking the lead with a throw of 91.06 meters.
Ongoing Rivalry with Julian Weber
The competition between Neeraj and Julian Weber continued at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Chorzow, Poland, on May 23. Competing under challenging weather conditions, Neeraj managed a throw of 84.14 meters on his final attempt, finishing second again, while Weber secured victory with a throw of 86.12 meters.
Upcoming Competitions for Neeraj
Neeraj kicked off his 2025 season strongly, dominating the Potch Invitational Meet in South Africa in April with a throw of 84.52 meters. Following the Paris event, he is also scheduled to compete in the Golden Spike athletics competition in Czechia on June 24. Additionally, he will headline the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 5 in Bengaluru, celebrating his achievements in athletics.
Aiming for the Diamond League Final
As he accumulates points with each performance, Neeraj aims to qualify for the Diamond League 2025 Final, set to take place in Zurich on August 27–28. His consistent top finishes this season have positioned him well for this goal.