Xtra Time Web Desk: World champion Neeraj Chopra finished second at the Zurich Diamond League with a stunning final throw of 85.71m on Friday. Neeraj started with a throw of 80.79m followed by two foul throws. He threw a distance of 85.22m but had a foul throw again in his fifth attempt. But a stunning final throw of 85.71m saw him ending behind Jakub VadleJch of Czech Republic.
The result also ended Neeraj Chopra’s winning streak in the 2023 season. Heading into the Zurich meet, the Indian javelin throw ace had won the Diamond League legs in Doha and Lausanne before clinching a historic gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
“I feel very good now, because everyone is a little tired after the World Championships – we gave our 100 percent there, but for this competition here my focus was to just stay healthy, and we have to focus now for Eugene (Diamond League Final) and then the Asian Games,” Neeraj Chopra said after finishing second.
He added, “For me, the focus was just to stay healthy and to give my 100 percent in my next competitions,” the Indian ace added. “Sometimes we need to read our body. Today, I feel OK, I am 100 percent OK, but I did not push too much. Sometimes, our No. 1 goal is to stay healthy. Today I gave it my best, but still with the focus to stay healthy.”