Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra started his Diamond League title defence with a cushty win within the season-opening leg right here on Friday, with a world main and fourth career-best effort. The 25-year-old Chopra, who had pocketed the 2022 Diamond League Final trophy in Switzerland in September final, beat a star-studded discipline with a finest throw of 88.67m to start his season in model. Chopra hit his straps in his first try itself with a world-leading throw of 88.67m, which was his fourth career-best effort to place himself on the highest of the pile. He maintained the lead until the tip to win the occasion in his second look on the Qatar Sports Club.

He had completed fourth in his first look right here in 2018.

Silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic went agonisingly near Chopra’s finest mark with a second spherical throw of 88.63m, 4 centimeter wanting the Indian’s effort.

Vadlejch had additionally received silver within the Tokyo Olympics. He had additionally received a silver within the Doha Diamond League final 12 months with a 90.88m throw.

Reigning world champion Anderson Peters, who had received the occasion right here final 12 months with a monster throw of 93.07m, completed third with a modest finest throw of 85.88m.

Chopra, who has a private better of 89.94m, couldn’t maintain the tempo of his first try as he may solely ship the spear to 86.04m after which to 85.47m earlier than fouling his throw within the fourth. He managed 84.37m and 85.62m in his fifth and sixth makes an attempt.

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