Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion, showcased his exceptional form as he made a triumphant return after a one-month injury lay-off to secure first place in the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League on Friday. This marked his second consecutive victory of the season in this esteemed competition.
Despite missing three prominent events due to a muscle strain suffered during training last month, the 25-year-old Tokyo Olympics gold medallist made a remarkable comeback. His throw of 87.66m in the fifth round secured him the Diamond League title.
Chopra began with a foul, followed by throws of 83.52m and 85.04m. After another foul in the fourth round, he delivered his winning throw of 87.66m. In his sixth and final throw, he reached 84.15m.
Julian Weber of Germany took second place with a best throw of 87.03m, while Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic secured third place with an effort of 86.13m.
Chopra had previously won the Lausanne leg in August of the previous year, earning his first Diamond League title. He went on to claim the Diamond League trophy in the grand finale a month later.
In the season-opening Diamond League meeting in Doha on May 5, the Indian sensation emerged victorious with a throw of 88.67m. His personal best stands at an impressive 89.94m.
(AFP Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to congratulate the champion athlete on his latest achievement.
"Congratulations to @Neeraj_chopra1 for shining at the Lausanne Diamond League. Thanks to his extraordinary performances, he has finished at the top of the table. His talent, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence is commendable," PM Modi tweeted.
In men's long jump event, India's Murali Sreeshankar finished fifth with a below-average jump of 7.88m, achieved in the third round.
The 24-year-old Sreeshankar had recently secured the third spot in the Paris leg on June 9, marking his debut on the Diamond League podium. During the National Inter-State Championships in Bhubaneswar earlier this month, he achieved a career-best jump of 8.41m.
(With agency inputs)
