Neeraj Chopra misses Diamond League trophy, finishes second in grand finale

Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic became the Diamond League champion for the third time with a best throw of 84.24m which came in his sixth and final attempt.

Neeraj Chopra fouled his two attempts and his best effort of the day came in the second throw, with the series reading foul, 83.80m, 81.37m, foul, 80.74 and 80.90m. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

CHENNAI:   Tokyo Olympic gold medallist and world champion Neeraj Chopra finished second in the Diamond League final at Eugene, Oregon with an 83.8m throw late on Saturday night behind Jakub Vadlejch’s 84.24m attempt. Chopra, who was looking to defend his title, started with a no mark before scaling 83.8m in his second attempt.

However, despite trying, he and the other throwers were not able to surpass Vadlejch’s 84.24m, which the Czech registered in his first throw itself. It was Chopra’s first below-85m throw of the season.

Oliver Helander of Finland took the third spot with a best throw of 83.74m. Chopra’s next stop will be the Asian Games. “In big competition, it’s about mindset, we don’t need to prepare ourselves. When we enter into the stadium, our mind is ready and body will be ready for the competition,” Neeraj said.