On Friday, Olympic champions Neeraj Chopra scripted history by winning the Diamond League title for the second straight time after throwing his spear to 87.66m. However, the 90m mark eluded the star Indian javelin thrower once again. Neeraj had missed out on three top events because of a muscle strain he sustained while practicing last month but then he made a comeback in style by winning the Diamond League title with the help of his fifth-round throw of 87.66m.

The 25-year-old Chopra started with a foul throw and then went on to throw his spear for 83.52m and 85.04m throws. He once again had another foul in the fourth round before coming up with his 87.66m next. His sixth and final throw was 84.15m.

Julian Weber of Germany clinched the second spot after delivering a best throw of 87.03m, while Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic was third on the list with an 86.13m effort.

Neeraj Chopra Win Lausanne Diamond League with brilliant 87.66m throw

Good series of 83.52 , 85.04, 87.66 and 84.15 by Olympic Champion

Second win for neeraj at this year DL , he leads JT ranking after 2 meeting @afiindia pic.twitter.com/9UTJ0ebgCz

— Sports India (@SportsIndia3) June 30, 2023

“I was feeling a bit nervous coming back from an injury. It was a bit cold here tonight. I am still far from my best, but I feel it is getting better,” Chopra said after his win.

“I am relieved it is coming together well for me. A win is a win and I will take that happily.” 

Earlier, Chopra won the Lausanne leg in August last year also for his first Diamond League title. He then followed it up with a win in the Diamond League trophy in the grand finale a month later. Chopra had clinched the season-opening Diamond League meeting that took place in Doha on May 5 after throwing 88.67m. He has a personal best of 89.94m.