On a breezy Friday evening in Doha, history was made at the Jetour Doha Diamond League — not once, but twice — as India’s Neeraj Chopra and Germany’s Julian Weber breached the elusive 90-metre barrier in spectacular style, setting the Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium alight with world-class javelin drama.
Chopra, the Olympic champion and reigning world title-holder, stunned the crowd with a monstrous personal best of 90.23m on his third attempt — an Indian national record and his first throw over 90m. But just when it looked like he would walk away with the world lead, Weber had other plans. With his sixth and final throw, the German launched a brilliant 91.06m effort to clinch victory, also entering the prestigious 90m club for the first time.
Their success, however, wasn’t just down to raw talent or preparation. A quiet but critical change in the javelin runway direction — made at Chopra’s personal request — might have played a decisive role.
A Tailwind of Opportunity
Speaking on the eve of the meet, Qatar Athletics Federation President Mohammed Issa Al-Fadala revealed that the field setting was altered specifically for Chopra.
Usually, javelin is thrown from the southern end of the stadium to the north,” he explained. “This time, on Neeraj’s request, we reversed it — from north to south. We also made several technical adjustments inside the stadium. Doha is like home for him, and we wanted to support that.
The change allowed throwers to harness a helpful sea breeze — a factor not lost on Weber, who praised the backwind conditions after the event.
If you get the angle and flight right, it just flies here. It’s warm, the wind is behind you, and everything falls into place. I felt amazing today.
Shared Glory, Friendly Rivalry
Though Chopra finished second, he was upbeat about his performance and the shared breakthrough with Weber.
It’s a little bittersweet. I’m thrilled to finally cross 90m, but like in Turku and Stockholm, I ended up second. Julian and I have both been chasing this for years. We told each other today could be the day — and it was. This is a big boost for both of us.
Chopra credited his coach, javelin legend Jan Železný, for the performance. “We worked very hard in South Africa. He rarely travels to Diamond Leagues, but he came because he believed today was the day for 90m. That meant a lot.”
The Night Unfolded with Drama
Chopra began strongly with 88.44m, taking the early lead. In the third round, he produced his record-breaking 90.23m throw, sending the Indian fans in the stands into raptures. Weber started slower but built momentum steadily — 89.06m, 89.84m — before unleashing his winning 91.06m throw in the final round.
The last few weeks weren’t the best for me. But today, everything clicked. The crowd, the energy — it helped me break 90m for the first time and win with my final throw. It feels surreal.
Two-time world champion Anderson Peters finished third with 85.64m.
A Rare Moment in Javelin History
This was only the seventh time in history that two men breached the 90m mark in the same competition. Weber’s throw now places him 17th on the all-time list, while Chopra moves up to 24th. The Doha meeting record of 93.90m by Thomas Röhler from 2017 still stands, but Friday night added a new chapter to the stadium’s legend.
The Doha leg was the third stop in the 2025 Wanda Diamond League, which spans 15 meetings across four continents and will culminate in Zurich in August.
In Doha, it was more than a shift in direction — it was a shift in destiny.
Additional Highlights
• In the women's 100m, Jamaican sprinter Tia Clayton edged out her twin sister Tina to claim victory with a world-leading time of 10.92 seconds.
• Tshepiso Masalela of Botswana showcased a well-timed surge to clinch the men's 800m title holding off a strong challenge from the USA's Bryce Hoppel to finish in a world-leading time of 1:43.11.
• In the men's 200m, Botswana's Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo narrowly secured victory with a season-best time of 20.10 seconds, the USA's Courtney Lindsey.
• Salwa Eid Naser of Bahrain equaled the meet record in the women's 400m, winning in 49.83 seconds.
• Jamaica's Rasheed Broadbell claimed the men's 110m hurdles title with a time of 13.14 seconds.
• Olympic bronze medallist Matt Denny of Australia triumphed in the men's discus throw, recording a winning distance of 68.97 meters.
• Britain's Molly Caudery emerged victorious in the women's pole vault, clearing 4.75 meters.
• Kenya's Reynold Cheruiyot and Nelly Chepchirchir secured wins in the men's 5000m (13:16.40) and women's 1500m (4:05.00), respectively.
• Italy's Alessandro Sibilio clinched the men's 400m hurdles title with a time of 49. 32 seconds, while the USA's Shelby McEwen won the men's high jump, clearing 2.26 meters.
