Neeraj Chopra came within nine centimetres of winning the Lausanne Diamond League, but his season-best effort offered plenty of encouragement. The Indian javelin star threw 88.05m to finish second behind Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage.
Chopra’s throw was his best of the season and his first effort beyond 88m since June 2025. Speaking to IAAF after the competition, Chopra said the throw felt surprisingly easy and reflected his growing confidence.
LAUSANNE DIAMOND LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS
“I didn’t realise it was only nine centimetres, it was really close, but I’m happy with the 88-metre throw,” Chopra said.
“To be honest, it didn’t feel like it went 88 metres because I felt very relaxed. I tried really hard and later focused on my technique.”
Chopra also felt his recent competitions have gradually brought him closer to his best, particularly after a difficult period involving injury and changes to his coaching team.
“With every competition, I feel that I’m coming back,” he said.
“The crowds in Lausanne and Zurich understand athletics and really support you, so it’s always good to compete here.”
The result gave Chopra his strongest performance of the season ahead of the Asian Games next month. Pathirage, meanwhile, continued his remarkable run, edging the Indian by just 0.09m with an 88.14m throw.
NEERAJ SHOWS SIGNS OF RETURN
Chopra opened his series with 83.54m, while Pathirage immediately established the early lead with 85.99m. Anderson Peters then moved ahead of Chopra with 86.69m, leaving the Indian third for a brief period.
The response was vintage Chopra. He unleashed an 88.05m throw that moved him to the top and brought out his trademark roar, before Pathirage answered with 88.14m to reclaim first place.
There were also encouraging signs in Chopra’s technique. He maintained his balance through his best effort instead of falling away to the left, an aspect that has been closely watched during his return from injury.
PATHIRAGE EXTENDS CHOPRA HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Lausanne result marked Pathirage’s third consecutive victory over Chopra in 2026. The Sri Lankan had previously finished ahead of the Indian in Doha before repeating the feat at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Pathirage’s consistency has been particularly striking, with the 23-year-old continuing to produce big throws while establishing himself as the leading javelin thrower on the Diamond League circuit.
For Chopra, however, the nine-centimetre defeat mattered less than the direction of his performance. With the Asian Games approaching, the 88.05m throw offered a timely reminder that the two-time Olympic medallist is steadily finding his rhythm again.
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