Potchefstroom Invitational Meet: Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra Kicks Off Season with 84.52m Javelin in South Africa

Apr 17, 2025, 17:17 IST

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra began his 2025 season at the Potchefstroom Invitational Meet in South Africa, recording an 84.52m javelin throw. This marked his first competition under new coach Jan Železný following pre-season training. Chopra, who recently got married, is now focused on upcoming elite events, starting with the Doha Diamond League.

South Africa: Chopra opens season with 84.52m javelin throw
South Africa: Chopra opens season with 84.52m javelin throw

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra won gold at the Potchefstroom Invitational in South Africa. On Wednesday, April 16, he topped a six-man field with a best effort of 84.52 metres.

Neeraj Chopra is a professional Indian track and field athlete who is considered one of the greatest javelin throwers.

Chopra came in second place with a throw of 89.49 metres in the Lausanne Diamond League last year, just behind Grenada's Anderson Peters, who took first place with a throw of 90.61 metres. 

Ahead of next month's Doha Diamond League, Chopra has performed exceptionally well. He opened the Potchefstroom Invitational meet with confidence.

Only Neeraj Chopra and South African Javelin thrower, Douw Smit were the ones to cross the 80m mark in the men's javelin final on Wednesday. He registered a best throw of 84.52 m, whereas Smit’s best throw was at 83.29m.

Results: Potch Invitational Meet

  • Neeraj Chopra – 84.52 m
  • Douw Smit - 82.44m
  • Duncan Robertson – 71.22 m
  • Armand Willemse – 69.58 m
  • Marques Olivier - 68.01m
  • Jan-Hendrik Heymans – 65.59 m

Following his private wedding to Himani Mor in January, Neeraj Chopra commenced his training for the new season in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He started his competitive year with an 84.52m throw and is now working with new coach Jan Železný, with his elite-level debut expected at the Doha Diamond League on May 16th.

Chopra won a silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics with a best effort of 89.45m, while Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem set an Olympic record of 92.97m to win gold. This India's golden boy is making every effort to break through the elusive 90-metre barrier.

Kriti Barua
Kriti Barua

Executive Content Writer

Kriti Barua is a professional content writer who has four years of experience in creating engaging and informative articles for various industries. She started her career as a creative writer intern at Wordloom Ventures and quickly developed a passion for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers.

Currently working as a content writer for the GK section of Jagran New Media, she continues to hone her skills in writing and strives to deliver high-quality content that educates and entertains readers.
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