India’s javelin ace Neeraj Chopra finally broke the 90-meter barrier with a sensational throw of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League on Friday. Despite achieving the long-awaited milestone, he had to settle for second place behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who also recorded his first 90m+ throw in a gripping contest.
Neeraj’s third-round effort not only made him the 25th man in history to breach the elite 90-meter mark but also shattered his own national record of 89.94m, set at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022.
He opened his campaign with a strong 88.44m throw, followed by a foul on his second attempt. His record-breaking 90.23m came in the third round. The subsequent rounds saw a throw of 80.56m, another foul, and a final effort of 88.20m.
With this performance, Neeraj now ranks 24th on the all-time list of athletes who have crossed the 90-meter mark, surpassing Germany’s Max Dehning (90.20m) and Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott (90.16m). However, in the list of all-time best individual throws, his 90.23m stands as the 101st farthest throw ever. He also becomes only the third Asian to cross the 90-meter mark, joining Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem (92.97m) and Chinese Taipei’s Chao-Tsun Cheng (91.36m).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also congratulated Neeraj Chopra on his remarkable throw saying, “A spectacular feat! Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for breaching the 90 m mark at Doha Diamond League 2025 and achieving his personal best throw.”
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. @Neeraj_chopra1 pic.twitter.com/n33Zw4ZfIt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 17, 2025
Interestingly, the Doha competition also marked Julian Weber’s maiden throw over 90 meters, making him the 26th athlete to reach the milestone.
Among the 26 javelin throwers to have crossed the 90-meter mark, Germany leads with seven athletes, followed by Finland with four and the Czech Republic with two. The list also features throwers from Grenada, Pakistan, Kenya, Russia, Greece, Norway, Great Britain, Chinese Taipei, the USA, Latvia, Estonia, Trinidad and Tobago — and now, India through Neeraj Chopra.
All-time 90m+ Javelin throwers and their best throws
- Jan Zelezny (CZE) – 98.48
- Johannes Vetter (GER) – 97.76
- Thomas Rohler (GER) – 93.90
- Aki Parviainen (FIN) – 93.09
- Andersen Peters (GRN) – 93.03
- Arshad Nadeem (PAK) – 92.97
- Julius Yego (KEN) – 92.72
- Sergey Makarov (RUS) – 92.61
- Raymond Hecht (GER) – 92.60
- Andreas Hoffman (GER) – 92.06
- Konstantinos Gatsioudis (GRE) – 91.69
- Andreas Thorkildsen (NOR) – 91.59
- Tero Pitkamaki (FIN) – 91.53
- Steve Backley (GBR) – 91.46
- Chao-Tsun Cheng (TPE) – 91.36
- Breaux Greer (USA) – 91.29
- Julian Weber (GER) – 91.06*
- Jakub Vadlejch (CZE) – 90.88
- Kimmo Kinnunen (FIN) – 90.82
- Vadims Vasilevskis (LAT) – 90.73
- Magnus Kirt (EST) – 90.61
- Seppo Raty (FIN) – 90.60
- Boris Henry (GER) – 90.44
- Neeraj Chopra (IND) – 90.23*
- Max Dehning (GER) – 90.20
- Keshorn Walcott (TTO) – 90.16
