India’s golden javelin star Neeraj Chopra added another medal to his growing collection on Friday, clinching silver at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial Meet, despite battling challenging weather and an off-rhythm day on the field.
Chopra, fresh off his sensational 90.23m throw in Doha, couldn’t quite match that form in Chorzów, where slick conditions put every athlete to the test. But the Olympic champion dug deep to register a final-round throw of 84.14m, which was enough to secure second place.
The 27-year-old champion from Haryana, known for delivering under pressure, had a shaky start with a foul on his opening attempt. He followed it with 81.20m, intentionally fouled his third throw, and hovered in the low 80s with his fourth and fifth efforts. It all came down to the last throw—and Chopra delivered just enough to edge past Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who settled for third with 83.24m.
Weber Tops Again, But Chopra Keeps Climbing
Germany’s Julian Weber, in top form this season, claimed the gold with a throw of 86.12m. Weber had also triumphed over Chopra in Doha, where he had shattered the 90m mark for the first time in his career.
Though this outing didn’t see Neeraj at his personal best, it marked his third podium finish of the season, reinforcing his consistency and resilience across competitions.
A Season of Milestones for Neeraj
Chopra’s 2024 campaign has been impressive:
- April: Started the season with a win at the Potch Invitational Meet in South Africa (84.52m)
- May: Smashed his own national record in Doha with a massive 90.23m, bagging silver
- Now: Adds another silver in Poland, despite tough throwing conditions
From Tokyo gold to rewriting record books in Doha, Neeraj Chopra continues to raise the bar for Indian athletics, proving that even on a less-than-perfect day, his will to win remains unshakable.
