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SportsPosted at: May 17 2025 7:06PM


Neeraj Chopra finally nails Zelezny's 90m prophecy

Doha, May 17 (UNI) "Today is the day for 90m", a prophecy uttered by legendary coach Jan Zelezny set the tone for history at the Doha Diamond League on Friday. True to his words, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra delivered a spectacular 90.23-metre, becoming the first Indian to breach the elusive 90-metre barrier and shatter the national record.
It was a moment long awaited by Indian athletics, a perfect fusion of power, precision, and prophecy fulfilled.
"Jan usually only attends the big meets. After my warmup throws, he told me, 'Today is the day for 90m.' After I crossed that mark, he said I could have thrown two to three metres more. I am happy but also motivated to push harder in the upcoming competitions."
Chopra set the tone early with a world-leading opening throw of 88.44 metres, though a foul on his second attempt briefly cast doubt. Yet, it was his third throw that rewrote the script — a commanding effort that not only broke the psychological barrier but also reinstated Chopra’s stature among the world’s best.
The throw was a clear testament to his regained fitness after battling injuries over recent seasons, including a persistent groin issue and a fractured hand. "I feel much stronger and healthier than I have in years," he said. "For a long time, I was dealing with groin problems, but now I am confident this season will see me perform even better."
Though Chopra's 90.23m was a milestone, it wasn’t enough to clinch the top podium spot. Germany’s Julian Weber stole the show with a personal best 91.06 metres on his final throw — his first-ever over 90 metres. The mutual milestone added a dramatic edge to the competition and highlighted a growing rivalry that promises to push both athletes to new heights.
"I am happy for Julian as well," Chopra said. "We have both worked tirelessly to break the 90m barrier. It was a good contest, and we’ll keep pushing each other to go further this season."
Weber was equally gracious. "I’ve known Neeraj has been chasing this for a while," he said. "It was special to see him finally do it tonight."
For Chopra, the breakthrough was just the beginning. "The season is long with many competitions, including the World Championships. We’ll review what I missed today and aim to throw 90m or beyond again."
Next up for Chopra are the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland on May 23 and the Golden Spike meet in Czechia on June 24.
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