Chopra finishes 2nd in Poland event behind Weber

Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was not at his best as he managed a second-place finish, failing to hit the 85m mark in a rare outing in his illustrious career, at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet here on Friday.

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Chopra could only produce a best throw of 84.14m which came in his sixth and final attempt. He was at the third spot till the end of the penultimate round. Germany's Julian Weber, who had beaten Chopra for the top spot in the Doha Diamond League on May 16 in a 90m duel, again emerged victorious with his second round throw of 86.12m. He an European champion in 2022 and silver-medallist in 2024.

Two-time world champions Anderson Peters of Grenada was third with a best throw of 83.24m. He was third in Doha also. In fact, it was a repeat of the Doha top three finish, the only difference was that all three of them were below their best under overcast conditions after rain at the Silesian Stadium earlier in the day.

The 27-year-old Chopra had finally breached the coveted 90m mark with a throw of 90.23m in Doha though Weber had won the top spot with his last attempt of 91.06m. Peters had a best throw of 85.64m in Doha.