90m target ticked, Neeraj Chopra turns focus to World Athletics Championships later this year

Neeraj Chopra achieved his first-career 90m throw at the Doha Diamond League in May.

India’s javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra made headlines in May by joining the elite 90-metre club, with a personal best of 90.23 m at the Doha Diamond League. The throw not only marked a significant career milestone for 27-year-old but also cemented his place among the sport’s global elite.

However, Chopra is quick to shift the focus away from numbers. Speaking to the media ahead of his upcoming event, he emphasized that distance alone isn’t his goal. “People now expect me to throw 90 m every time. But for me, it’s about how I perform when it matters the most—especially at the World Championships,” he was quoted as saying by IANS.

His next big target? The World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, scheduled from September 13 to 21. Rather than chasing the 90-metre mark in every competition, Chopra is focusing on staying healthy, fine-tuning his technique, and building consistency in the run-up to the prestigious global event.

To help achieve that, Chopra is currently training under Czech legend Jan Železný, the world record holder in men’s javelin. Their partnership has brought technical improvements, particularly in Chopra’s run-up rhythm and release. “I’m happy with the progress I’ve made under Jan sir. We’re working on my posture and transition in the throw,” he explained to PTI.

Ahead of Tokyo, Chopra’s calendar is packed with key meets. He will compete at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava on June 24, part of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series. The event holds sentimental value for him, having watched greats like Usain Bolt there as a child.

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On July 5, he will headline the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, which now features an international field of top javelin throwers. “This meet is special because it helps popularize athletics in India, beyond just cricket,” he noted.

At the Paris Diamond League earlier this month, Chopra recorded a strong 88.16 m to edge past German rival Julian Weber. While the 90m mark garners headlines, Chopra stresses that consistency is key to peaking in Tokyo.

“I’ve crossed 90 once, and it’s great—but medals come from executing well when it counts. That’s where my focus is,” he concluded.

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