Golden boy Neeraj Chopra wins Ostrava Golden Spike title with 85.29m throw

India's javelin sensation and two-time Olympic medallist, Neeraj Chopra, has added another feather to his cap by clinching the javelin throw title at the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike event. This victory marks his second major title in less than a week, following his triumph at the Paris Diamond League just days ago, signaling a powerful start to his 2025 season.

Chopra's winning throw at Ostrava measured an impressive 85.29m, achieved on his third attempt. His series of throws included a foul on his first attempt, followed by 83.45m, the winning 85.29m, then 82.17m, 81.01m, and a final foul. This consistent performance underscores his dominant form as he navigates the early part of the athletics calendar.

This strong showing in Ostrava, a Gold-level tournament on the World Athletics Continental Tour, comes swiftly on the heels of his victory at the Paris Diamond League. In Paris, Chopra had delivered a stellar 88.16m throw to defeat his formidable rival, Julian Weber of Germany. This was a crucial win for Chopra, as he had previously lost to Weber at the Doha Diamond League earlier in the season.

The 2025 season has been particularly significant for the Javelin Throw world champion. Having competed in the Doha Diamond League and the Paris Diamond League, the Ostrava Golden Spike was his third major competition, and he has already demonstrated remarkable consistency and power.

After an injury-affected season in 2024, where he secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Neeraj Chopra has made strategic changes to his training regimen. He notably parted ways with his long-term coach Dr. Klaus Bartonietz and began training under the tutelage of Czech javelin legend Jan Zelezny, a three-time Olympic champion and current world record holder. This new collaboration appears to be yielding promising results.

Furthermore, Chopra silenced any lingering questions about breaching the elusive 90-meter mark earlier this season. At the Doha Diamond League, he not only crossed the coveted distance with a throw of 90.23m but also established a new national record.