Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to clinch Diamond League Trophy
Ace javelin thrower registers a throw of 88.44 metres to seal the contest
Zurich: Neeraj Chopra clinched the historical Diamond League Trophy in Zurich on Thursday, becoming the first Indian to win the trophy.
The ace javelin thrower started his night off with a foul throw. However, he registered a throw of 88.44 metres in his second attempt and that was enough for him to seal the contest for himself.
The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist registered an 88-metre throw in his third attempt and 86.11 metres in his fourth attempt. His fifth attempt was 87 metres while his last attempt was 83.6 metres.
Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic finished second with a best throw of 86.94. Rounding off the podium was Julian Weber of Germany, with a best throw of 83.73.
Spectacular return
Earlier, Chopra had made a spectacular return from a one-month injury layoff by winning the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League series and qualifying for the two-day finals.
He had missed the Birmingham Commonwealth Games (July 28 to August 8) due to a minor groin injury he had suffered during his silver-winning performance in the World Championships in the US in July.
The 24-year-old Indian superstar hit form immediately on return as he hurled the spear to 89.08 metres in his first attempt to seal the win in style in Lausanne on July 26.