Neeraj Chopra Won Men's Javelin Throw Title in Lausanne Diamond League Series

• 03 Jul 2023

Why in News?

On June 30, 2023, Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra from the Panipat district of Haryana has won the men's javelin throw title in the Lusan Phase-2023 of the prestigious Diamond League Series. He took the top spot with a throw of 87.66m.

Key Points:

• Germany's Julian Weber finished second with a throw of 87.03m and Jakub Vadlejche of the Czech Republic came third with a throw of 86.13m.
• It is known that this is the Second Gold of Indian Javelin star Neeraj in this year. He was also a gold medalist in the Doha Diamond League. At the same time, this is Neeraj's 8th international gold. Earlier, he had won gold in tournaments like Asian Games, South Asian Games, Olympic Games and Diamond League.
• Neeraj Chopra started off with a foul in the first round. At the same time, Germany's Julian Weber took the lead with a throw of 86.20 metres. At the end of the first round, Neeraj was not even in the top three athletes. After this, in the second attempt, Neeraj made a throw of 83.52 meters and reached the third number. Neeraj scored 85.02m in the third attempt. With this throw, he reached number two.
• Neeraj was fouled on the fourth attempt, but on the fifth attempt, Neeraj's 'Golden Arm' worked its magic and achieved a throw of 87.66 meters. reached first place. In the sixth and final attempt, Neeraj achieved a throw of 84.15 metres.
• It is worth mentioning that 25-year-old Neeraj had won gold in the Doha Diamond League on May 5 by throwing 88.67 metres. He then suffered a hamstring strain, forcing him to withdraw from the Fanny Blankers-Koen Games on June 4 and the Paavo Nurmi Games on June 13.
• However, during this time he did not miss the opportunity to play in any Diamond League. The Rabat, Rome, Paris and Oslo phases of the league do not feature the javelin throw.
• Lausanne is to be followed by leagues in Monaco (21 July) and Zurich (31 August), where the javelin throw is included. The final of the league will be held in Eugene (USA) on September 16-17.
• Neeraj will also participate in the World Athletics Championships 2023 to be held in Budapest, Hungary. This championship will be held from 19 to 27 August. Neeraj had won a silver medal in the last season in 2022 Eugene.
• The Indian team has been able to win only two medals in the history of this championship, one of them in the name of Neeraj. Prior to Neeraj, in 2003, Anju Bobby George had created history by winning the first medal for India in the women's long jump event. He had won the bronze medal.
• Apart from Neeraj, another Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar also participated in the Diamond League. He jumped 7.75, 7.63, 7.88 and 7.59 and 7.66 meters in the first 5 attempts. However, he could not win any medals. Murali finished fifth.