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Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra suffered another narrow defeat against Sri Lanka’s Rumesha Pathirage at the Lausanne Diamond League. Neeraj produced a season-best throw of 88.05 metres, but Pathirage secured the top spot with 88.14 metres, beating the Indian star by just 9 centimetres.
Neeraj Chopra Throws Season-Best 88.05m in Lausanne Diamond League
Neeraj Chopra produced his best throw of the season with his second attempt in Lausanne. His 88.05m effort put him firmly in contention for the title, but it was not enough to finish at the top.
Rumesha Pathirage registered an 88.14m throw to claim first place, while Grenada’s Anderson Peters finished third with an effort of 86.69m.
Despite missing out on the title, Neeraj’s performance was a major positive as he continues to build momentum during the season.
Rumesha Pathirage Beats Neeraj Chopra Again by Just 9cm
The Lausanne result will be particularly disappointing for Neeraj as Pathirage has now defeated him again within a short period.
At the Commonwealth Games, Pathirage produced a massive 89.75m throw, while Neeraj finished second with 85.83m.
The latest result adds another chapter to the growing rivalry between the two javelin throwers. This time, the difference was extremely small, with Pathirage winning by only nine centimetres.
Sri Lankan Javelin Star Pathirage Has Cricket Connection
Rumesha Pathirage’s journey to international javelin success is also unique. Before making his mark in athletics, the Sri Lankan had played junior-level cricket and was known for fast bowling.
He has since established himself as a promising javelin thrower and is now competing with some of the biggest names in the sport, including Neeraj Chopra.
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Neeraj Chopra Enters Diamond League Top 5 After Lausanne Finish
Neeraj’s second-place finish in Lausanne helped him move into the top five of the Diamond League standings.
He now has 12 points and occupies fifth position. Pathirage leads the standings with 31 points, while Anderson Peters, Curtis Thompson and Keshorn Walcott occupy the next three positions.
Diamond League Standings
- Rumesha Pathirage – 31 points
- Anderson Peters
- Curtis Thompson
- Keshorn Walcott
- Neeraj Chopra – 12 points
Is Neeraj Chopra Qualified for the Diamond League Final?
Neeraj Chopra is currently inside the top-six qualification zone, but his place in the Diamond League Final is not yet officially secured.
The top six athletes qualify for the final, meaning Neeraj will need to maintain his position in the standings. The next Diamond League event on August 27 could be crucial for his qualification hopes.
Neeraj Chopra Gets One More Chance to Secure Diamond League Final Spot
Although Neeraj missed out on the Lausanne title, his 88.05m season-best throw will give him confidence heading into the next competition.
Neeraj had won the Paris Diamond League last year with an 88.16m throw. He will now look to build on his improved form, collect more valuable points and secure his place in the Diamond League Final.
