Neeraj Chopra Opens 2025 Season with Gold at Potchefstroom Invitational, Throws 84.52m

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra made a strong start to his 2025 season, securing a gold medal with an impressive 84.52m throw at the Potchefstroom Invitational in South Africa on Wednesday.

This performance marked his first competitive event of the year, where he outperformed a six-man field at this World Athletics Continental Tour Challenger event.

Impressive Victory at Potchefstroom Invitational

Chopra’s throw of 84.52m earned him top spot, well ahead of South African javelin thrower Douw Smit, who managed a best throw of 82.44m.

The 25-year-old Smit, who was considered a strong contender, finished second while only Chopra and Smit managed to cross the 80m mark. South African Duncan Robertson claimed third place with a throw of 71.22m, far behind the leaders.

Though Chopra’s throw was below his personal best of 89.94m, it was a solid and encouraging start to the season.

Similarly, Smit’s throw was close to his personal best of 83.29m, indicating that both athletes are in good form as they prepare for more competitive events.

A New Coaching Partnership for Chopra

This season marks a new chapter in Neeraj Chopra’s career as he trains under Czech javelin legend Jan Zelezny. Chopra parted ways with his long-time German coach Dr. Klaus Bartonietz in 2024.

Under Bartonietz, Chopra had reached monumental heights, securing a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Additionally, Chopra’s medal haul included victories at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and World Athletics Championships.

Zelezny, a three-time Olympic gold medallist and the world record holder for the longest javelin throw, is expected to bring valuable expertise to Chopra’s training regimen.

Having previously coached the Czech throwers who finished behind Chopra in Tokyo, Zelezny’s guidance could help Chopra reach new milestones, including breaking the 90m mark.

Season Opener Sets the Tone for 2025

The Potchefstroom Invitational victory marked an important milestone in Chopra’s 2025 season, signaling his readiness for the challenges ahead.

His throw of 84.52m is currently the best by any Indian athlete in 2025, surpassing the previous top throws of Sachin Yadav (84.39m) and Rohit Yadav (80.47m) in earlier events.

Chopra’s solid performance at the Potchefstroom Invitational was praised by his training base, the Inspire Institute of Sport, which posted on social media that it was “a solid start to the season.”

The post also noted that Chopra’s victory marked the beginning of his quest for even greater achievements in the months to come.

Upcoming Events and the Road Ahead

Chopra’s next major competition is the Doha Diamond League, scheduled for May 16, where he will face tougher competition from the world’s top javelin throwers.

The Doha event will provide Chopra with a valuable opportunity to gauge his form ahead of the more intense challenges later in the year.

As Chopra continues his preparations for the 2025 season, there is a renewed focus on his potential to surpass his personal best throw of 89.94m and possibly break the 90m barrier.

His victory in Potchefstroom is seen as an encouraging sign as he strives for more success on the world stage.

Neeraj Chopra’s Legacy and Future Goals

Chopra’s journey to success has been remarkable, with his back-to-back Olympic medals in Tokyo (gold) and Paris (silver) establishing him as one of the world’s premier javelin throwers.

His personal best of 89.94m, achieved in 2022, remains a major milestone, but Chopra is eager to push past this and further solidify his legacy in the sport.

Looking ahead, Chopra’s eyes are set on breaking new records and securing more medals, with the 2025 season being crucial in determining whether he can challenge for global supremacy in javelin throwing.