Having lost to Julian Weber in the Diamond League Final in Zurich, defending champion Neeraj Chopra says he wants to return to Tokyo for the World Championships in his best form

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra said he will need to fix the issues that troubled him at the Diamond League Final in Zurich before he heads to the World Championships in Tokyo. The defending world champion has just three weeks to rediscover his best form. The fact that the Worlds return to Tokyo—where Chopra won his breakthrough Olympic gold in 2021—should give him confidence.

On Thursday, though, it was rare to see Chopra struggle with his throws. Once Germany’s Julian Weber opened with two monstrous efforts beyond 90m, the pressure was on the rest of the field. Weber’s first throw sailed 91.37m and his second 91.51m. Chopra responded with 84.35m and 82m, clearly unhappy with his rhythm. After three fouls, he salvaged 85.01m on his last attempt to finish second behind Weber. Keshorn Walcott was third with 84.95m.

“This was not too bad. But we are getting very close to the World Championships, so I still need to throw a little bit further,” Chopra said after the event. “There were a few things that went well, but still, there were things that did not. In the last attempt I still managed to throw 85. But I am very happy for Julian today—he managed to throw really far, and to show 91m was really good. We will see in three weeks. I still need to train a little bit. In this sport, we do not know. It depends on the day.”

“In Tokyo, everything will be different. Julian is a good friend of mine and I am always happy when he is doing well—we push each other. There will be some friends from India coming to cheer for me in Tokyo. I also have friends who live there. At major championships, the gold is more important than the distance. So I will try my best to win the medal,” he added.

Chopra had missed the previous two Diamond League legs in Silesia and Brussels. He made a strong start to the season by breaching the 90m mark for the first time in his career in Doha (90.23m), which remains his personal best. But Weber has been in exceptional form, beating Chopra in three competitions this year, including Doha and now Zurich. Chopra, however, edged him at the Paris Diamond League.

The Indian has not shown the remarkable consistency that has been his hallmark in recent seasons. He has often hit the 87–89m range in major competitions, which has kept him on the podium. But in six meets this year, he has struggled to find the same rhythm. After Doha, where he threw 90.23m, he won Paris with 88.16m in June. Since then, his best efforts have been 85.29m (Ostrava Golden Spike), 86.18m (Neeraj Chopra Classic), and 85.01m in Zurich.

Last season Chopra battled a groin injury but returned in fine form after making technical changes under new coach and javelin legend Jan Železný.

Weber, meanwhile, has been the picture of consistency. Zurich marked his third throw beyond 90m this season.

“I knew that I was in good shape. But I would not have thought that I would perform so well, and already on my first throw,” said Weber. “It is awesome—the technique was there, the timing. Plus I had my coach with me and my videographer. The atmosphere was simply amazing in the stadium. Tomorrow is my and my twin sister’s birthday, so I gave myself a nice present. What more could I ask for? This is a good flow for Tokyo.”