Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion in javelin throw, made a remarkable comeback at the Lausanne Diamond League after a month-long break due to a muscle strain. Despite feeling nervous and being far from his best, the 25-year-old Indian athlete clinched the Diamond League title with an impressive throw of 87.66m.
Neeraj had skipped three major events earlier due to the injury he sustained during training last month. However, he made a triumphant return by narrowly defeating his competitors, Julian Weber from Germany (87.03m) and Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic (86.13m), in a thrilling competition.
Speaking about his victory, Neeraj Chopra admitted feeling nervous due to his injury comeback and the chilly conditions. Although he believes he is still far from his peak performance, he expressed relief that things are gradually improving for him. Acknowledging his win, Neeraj said, "A win is a win, and I will take that happily."
Neeraj also expressed his gratitude to Lausanne, where he had previously won the Diamond League title in 2020. He looks forward to returning next year and aims to secure another victory. With his sights set on the upcoming competition in Budapest, Neeraj is determined to continue his training and address areas for improvement to become even stronger.
During the Lausanne event, Neeraj started with a foul but quickly recovered with throws of 83.52m and 85.04m. After another foul in the fourth round, he delivered the winning throw of 87.66m in the fifth round, showcasing his exceptional skills. And his 6th & final throw measured 84.15m.
Previously, Neeraj had also triumphed at the season-opening Diamond League meeting in Doha on May 5, achieving an impressive throw of 88.67m. The recent triumph in Lausanne cements his position among the world's elite javelin throwers.
Neeraj Chopra's determination and remarkable comeback after his injury setback have captivated fans and athletes alike. With each passing day, the excitement mounts for his forthcoming showcases and his relentless pursuit of more triumphs on the global platform, all while he hones his skills to perfection.