Indian Javelin star Neeraj Chopra has been crowned Diamon League 2022 champions in Zurich. The 24-year-old becomes the first Indian athlete to become the Diamond League Champion in the history of the event.
Chopra came up with a throw of 88.44m in the finals to clinch the first prize at the Diamond League 2022. He defeated Tokyo Silver medalist Jakub Vadlecjh who came up with his best throw of 86.94 m. Germany’s Julian Weber finished third with a best throw of 83.73m.
Talking of the final event, Vadlecjh took the lead with a throw of 84.15m in his first attempt. Neeraj’s first throw was deemed invalid due to his feet touching the line.
Golds,Silvers done, he gifts a 24-carat Diamond ? this time to the nation ???
Ladies & Gentlemen, salute the great #NeerajChopra for winning #DiamondLeague finals at #ZurichDL with 88.44m throw.
FIRST INDIAN?? AGAIN??#indianathletics ?
X-*88.44*?-86.11-87.00-6T? pic.twitter.com/k96w2H3An3
— Athletics Federation of India (@afiindia) September 8, 2022
Vadlecjh then put on further pressure on Chopra with a second attempt throw of 86m. Chopra however looked in immense confidence as he took to his run-up for the second throw. With a throw of 88.44m, the Indian star took lead in his first valid attempt itself.
In the third round, it was Vadlecjh who was under pressure and threw a foul throw as a result of it. Neeraj Chopra, now ahead of his rival, threw 88m in his third attempt.
On their fourth attempt, Vadlecjh threw 86.94m whereas Chopra came up with 86.11m. Chopra who was ahead going into the final throw came up with 87m which was also more than Vadlecjh best throw so far.
Chopra totally outclassed his opponent in the final as he came up with three throws that would have won him the final. With this win, Chopra has become the only Indian player to win at the Diamond League Series.
Earlier Neeraj Chopra had become the first Indian to clinch a Diamond League meet title. The Indian javelin star had to endure a tough time as he was ruled out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 due to a leg groin injury. Prior to that Chopra had come second in the World Athletics Championship 2022 losing to Anderson Peters of Grenada.
