New Delhi: India’s javelin ace and reigning world champion, Neeraj Chopra, is set to make a much-anticipated return to the Paris Diamond League 2025 on June 20 at the Stade Sebastien-Charlety, as per Olympics.com. This marks his second Diamond League appearance of the season, following his season-opener in Doha.
Chopra last competed in the Paris leg of the prestigious series back in 2017, where he finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m. That event was won by Germany’s Johannes Vetter, who launched the javelin to 88.74m. Neeraj was expected to participate in the 2024 edition but opted out to focus on preparations for the Paris Olympics.
Earlier this year, the 27-year-old star shattered his own national record at the Doha Diamond League with a mammoth 90.23m throw, surpassing his previous best of 89.94m set at the 2022 Stockholm Diamond League. Despite the personal milestone, he placed second behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who edged him out with a 91.06m throw.
Chopra’s most recent competition was the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Chorzow, Poland, on May 23. Competing under wet conditions, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist managed a best throw of 84.14m on his final attempt, once again finishing behind Weber, who claimed the top spot with 86.12m.
Chopra began his 2025 season with a win at the Potch Invitational Meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April, where he threw 84.52m to claim the top position.
Looking ahead, Neeraj is also set to compete at the Golden Spike athletics meet in Czechia on June 24, followed by the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, where he will headline the event.
The javelin throwers who accumulate the most points across the Diamond League circuit will qualify for the prestigious Diamond League 2025 Final, scheduled to take place in Zurich on August 27-28.
