Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Friday scripted yet another historic feat as he became the first Indian to clinch a Diamond League Meet title by winning the Lausanne leg.
Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, an Olympic champion, made history on Friday by becoming the first Indian to win the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League Meet.
The 24-year-old Chopra, who had to withdraw from the Birmingham Commonwealth Games because of a "minor" groin injury sustained while taking home silver at the World Championships last month, threw the spear to 89.04m on his first try to secure the victory.
๐ฎ๐ณ
Top finish with 89.08m at Lausanne Diamond League ๐ฅ
He is back and back with a bang! pic.twitter.com/0zTwDpjhyU
After a month of rest and rehabilitation, Neeraj Chopra returned to his previous level of performance, making it seem like the injury never occurred.
His third-best effort in his career was the 89.04 m throw. His second throw, which measured 85.18 metres, was unsuccessful, as was his third.
Also read:ย Neeraj Chopra presents an intense workout regime; takes the internet by storm (WATCH)
Neeraj Chopra's fourth throw was a foul while he again passed his fifth attempt before coming up with 80.04m in the sixth and last round. Only the top three after the fifth round get the sixth throw. ย ย ย ย
The youngster from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana became the first Indian to win a Diamond League crown.
Well ๐ฎ๐ณ does like a strong start ๐ช
A massive throw of 89.08m, just shy of his personal best, means he goes well into the lead in the men's Javelin here at ๐จ๐ญ ๐
๐ธ pic.twitter.com/ic08uLYFBi
Before Neeraj Chopra, discus thrower Vikas Gowda is the only Indian to have finished in the top-three in a Diamond League Meet.ย
Gowda had finished second twice -- in New York in 2012 and in Doha in 2014 -- and third on two occasions -- Shanghai and Eugene in 2015.
Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch finished second with a best throw of 85.88m, while Curtis Thompson of the USA was third with a best effort of 83.72m.
Neeraj Chopra also qualified for the Diamond League Finals in Zurich on September 7 and 8. He also became the first Indian to do so. He also qualified for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, by breaching the 85.20m qualifying mark.
Neeraj Chopra had finished second in the Stockholm leg of the prestigious event behind world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada with a national record throw of 89.94m, just 6cm short of the 90m mark, the gold standard in the world of javelin throw. Peters is recovering from an injury after he was assaulted inside a boat in his country earlier this month.
In the World Championships in Eugene, USA, he was not in the medal position till the third round, but Neeraj Chopra was leading from the first throw till the end though the eight-man field was not so strong.
Meanwhile, congratulatory messages poured in for the javelin superstar. Neeraj Chopra's historic feat was lauded on Twitter by sports stars, politicians, and celebrities. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
congratulates Olympics Gold Medallist Subedar on becoming the first Indian to clinch the Lausanne Diamond League with a best throw of 89.08m and qualify for the finals of Diamond League at . pic.twitter.com/RSOfZbGN3x
โ ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi)There's no stopping .
The first-ever Indian to win a Diamond League Meet title with a massive throw in the first attempt is something one would dream of.
May you achieve many more milestones and make ๐ฎ๐ณ proud. pic.twitter.com/fw1wzAGbJI
Disappointment makes you stronger and it propels you to aim higher & become better than before.
Your win at the in Lausanne just goes to show that perseverance & hard work always pays off.
You are a โญ๏ธ ! Keep shining always. pic.twitter.com/TLUYoe6CFp
Wonderful to watch in action in Lausanne. Many many Congratulations! pic.twitter.com/mexPpHIMM7
โ Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra)Neeraj is one of those athletes who sweats it out when no one is watching, prepares and plans - the battle is already won on game day.
Congratulations on becoming the 1st Indian to win a Meet & claim the top spot at w/ a 89.08m throw! pic.twitter.com/lL2mxhSJdT
๐๐๐๐ค ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ ! ๐
Neeraj Chopra makes a blockbuster return from injury to land a throw of 89.08m at and qualify for the Diamond League Finals in Zurich next month! | | pic.twitter.com/zmFLCT5ok8
A true champion of the highest order, has scripted history yet again with his brilliant display of skill, determination & persistence , becoming the first Indian to win the Lausanne Diamond League. Congratulations & I wish you continue to bring honour to India.
โ Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda)Heartiest congratulations to on scripting history by becoming First Indian ever to have won the Diamond League Title.
You are a precious gem of Maa Bharti in Sports. India will take inspiration from you for generations to come.
My best wishes to you. https://t.co/bGkkpG6Grc
The Champion Scripts History Again!
Olympic Hero becomes the first Indian to clinch the title by winning the leg.
Congratulations & Blessings from a billion hearts. pic.twitter.com/9nMzMHXLuq