Neeraj Chopra is a household name in India. He is widely regarded as the golden boy of Indian athletics. On May 16, 2025, he created history at Qatar’s Khalifa International Stadium during the Doha Diamond League by throwing his javelin an astounding 90.23 metres. With this throw, Chopra shattered the 90-metre barrier, which he had been trying to achieve for years.

Neeraj Chopra’s inspiring journey

Becoming the first Indian ever to achieve this landmark in the javelin throw, Neeraj Chopra’s rise to global stardom is an inspiring story of perseverance, grit, and unwavering focus. Belonging to Khandra village in Haryana, he emerged from humble beginnings to become an Olympic medallist and one of the world’s leading javelin throwers. It was in 2016 when his first major international breakthrough came. He then clinched gold at the World U20 Championships in Poland, setting a then-world junior record of 86.48 metres.

Since that moment, Chopra’s career has seen a steady and impressive ascent. He made history again by winning gold at the 2018 Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, becoming a symbol of sporting excellence in India. His moment, however, came at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where a throw of 87.58 metres made him India’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist in track and field, catapulting Neeraj Chopra to iconic status across the nation.

Neeraj Chopra: The 90-metre dream

Though then elated with his achievement in the Olympics, he knew his journey had just begun. For him, the 87.58 metre was not enough, as to break into the elite javelin throwers’ club, the 90-metre mark was his next target. It is a sacred threshold that separates the greats from the legends. Chopra had been chasing this barrier for years, and Doha 2025 finally gave him the stage to conquer it.

Tributes poured in from across the country with Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating him on X. “Tributes poured in from across the country with Prime Minister Narendra Modi: A spectacular feat! Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for breaching the 90 m mark at Doha Diamond League 2025 and achieving his personal best throw. This is the outcome of his relentless dedication, discipline and passion. India is elated and proud.”

Doha 2025: Neeraj Chopra’s historic breakthrough 

The Doha Diamond League featured some of the world’s finest javelin throwers, including Anderson Peters, the 2022 world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist, and Keshorn Walcott, the 2012 Olympic champion from Trinidad and Tobago.

With his eyes firmly set on the 90-metre line, Neeraj Chopra opened the competition with a commanding throw of 88.44 metres, instantly establishing a strong lead. Although his second attempt was a foul, Chopra’s dominance remained unchallenged. Then came the defining moment — his third throw. With explosive energy and perfect form, Neeraj Chopra launched the javelin past the 90-metre mark. The official measurement: 90.23 metres.

The stadium erupted. Chopra gave a nod, smiled, and raised his hand in triumph. In that moment, history was made. He became only the 25th man in the world to breach the 90-metre mark in javelin throw. Anderson Peters followed with 85.64 metres, and Walcott with 84.65 metres.

After the spectacular show, the star javelin thrower shared his mixed feelings about the result after the competition: “It is a little bit bittersweet result. I am very happy for the 90m, but this second place –  it actually happened to me also when I competed in Turku and Stockholm. I threw 89.94, and I was always second. And also here. I broke the national record and got second today. But I am very happy also for Julian Weber. He threw 91, so we both broke 90m for the first time today. We have been trying this for so many years, so finally, we managed to get it.”

Despite the feat, he finished second in the event following a remarkable final throw by Germany’s Julian Weber. Anderson Peters remained third with his earlier best of 85.64 metres.

After the event, Chopra also spoke about his previous physical challenges. “I was always feeling something in my groin in the last few years. I did not give my best because of that. This year, I feel much better.” He expressed confidence: “We will also work on some aspects, and so I believe I can throw more than 90m in the upcoming events this year.”

Technical and mental evolution

Breaking the 90-metre barrier was not an overnight success — it was the result of years of strategic training and mental discipline. After winning silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a personal best of 89.45 metres, Neeraj Chopra made significant changes to his training routine. Despite the hero’s welcome back home, he stayed focused on improvement.

Neeraj Chopra began working with Jan Železný, the legendary Czech athlete and world record holder (98.48 metres). Under Železný’s mentorship, Chopra fine-tuned his technique, optimised his run-up, and successfully managed a persistent groin injury that had hampered him for years.

In a pre-event interview with Al Jazeera, Neeraj Chopra had hinted at a big performance: “I’m always pushing to surpass my previous best. Every season is a chance to get closer to perfection.”

His steady progress was evident in his top performances leading up to Doha. Neeraj Chopra’s five longest throws now include:

• 90.23m – Doha Diamond League 2025
• 89.94m – Stockholm Diamond League 2022
• 89.49m – Lausanne Diamond League 2024
• 89.45m – Paris 2024 Olympics (Final)
• 89.34m – Paris 2024 Olympics (Qualification)

These throws highlight not just his physical growth, but also his mental toughness. The 90-metre mark, once an intimidating barrier, has now become a symbol of Chopra’s relentless pursuit of greatness.

A catalyst for Indian sports

Neeraj Chopra’s success is more than an individual triumph — it’s a turning point for Indian athletics. In a country long dominated by cricket, Chopra’s achievements have sparked a nationwide interest in Olympic sports, especially track and field events like javelin throw.

Following his Tokyo gold, Neeraj Chopra became a symbol of aspiration for millions. His continued success has led to increased government support, private sponsorships, and improvements in athletic infrastructure. More importantly, Neeraj Chopra is inspiring countless youngsters, particularly from rural India, to pursue athletics seriously.

He is now regarded not just as an athlete, but as a brand ambassador for Indian sport, often advocating for grassroots development and athlete welfare.

His 90.23-metre throw in Doha sets a new benchmark for Indian athletes and South Asian sport as a whole. It proves that with the right environment and unwavering dedication, Indian athletes can not only compete but also dominate on the world stage.

What lies ahead for the star?

With the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo approaching, Neeraj Chopra has already secured his place by exceeding the qualifying mark of 85.5 metres. But the question now is: what’s next?

Neeraj Chopra is not one to settle. His latest achievement has opened a new chapter in his career, and fans are already wondering if he could someday challenge Železný’s world record.

While that may seem ambitious, one thing is certain — Neeraj Chopra thrives on pushing limits. He has proven time and again that no goal is too lofty when backed by determination and discipline.

Neeraj Chopra’s historic 90.23-metre throw is more than just a record. It’s a testament to his resilience, a victory for Indian athletics, and a sign that India is ready to embrace a new sporting era. With champions like Neeraj Chopra leading the charge, the future of Indian track and field has never looked brighter.