Neeraj Chopra Throws Season’s Best 88.05m, Finishes Second in Lausanne Diamond League

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra delivered his best performance in more than a year but narrowly missed the top spot, finishing second behind Sri Lanka’s rising star Rumesh Pathirage at the Lausanne Diamond League on Friday.

The 28-year-old Olympic champion produced a season’s best throw of 88.05m in the second round, putting himself in contention for the title in a strong nine-man field. It was Chopra’s best effort since he threw 88.16m to win the Paris Diamond League in June 2025, underlining a return to his best form.

However, Pathirage had the final word in a gripping contest.

The 23-year-old Sri Lankan, who has emerged as one of the standout performers of the season, surpassed Chopra in the third round with an impressive 88.14m effort. The difference between the two athletes was a mere nine centimetres, turning the Lausanne contest into one of the closest and most exciting javelin battles of the season.

Grenada’s Anderson Peters, another major name in world javelin, finished third with 86.69m, achieved in his sixth and final attempt.

While Chopra missed out on the title, his performance offered a major positive for Indian athletics. Crossing the 88m mark for the first time in more than a year is a significant statement from the two-time Olympic medallist as he builds momentum for the major competitions ahead.

The Lausanne result may have denied Chopra the top prize, but his 88.05m season-best throw showed that the Indian superstar is once again operating close to his formidable best. With his rhythm and distance returning, the battle for the javelin crown promises to become even more intense in the months ahead.