For Neeraj Chopra, the elusive 90-metre mark wasn’t just a number. It was a psychological barrier, a personal goal, and a national dream all rolled into one. On a warm Friday night at the Doha Diamond League, that moment finally came. With a powerful throw of 90.23 metres, Neeraj became the 25th man in history to join the exclusive 90m javelin club.

There was no grand celebration. No leaping with joy or victory roar. Just a quiet smile, a subtle shake of the head, and visible relief. For the Olympic and World Champion, it wasn’t just about winning—it was about finally silencing a lingering voice that kept asking, “When will 90 happen?”

Time and again, he knocked on the door. This time, he kicked it open.

He said:
“I’d hit 88, 89... but never 90. Finally, not just for me, but for all Indians, the weight has lifted. And I feel like I can go even further,” 

The journey to this milestone had its share of heartbreaks. In 2022, at the Stockholm Diamond League, he fell short by just six centimetres. Later in Paris, at the Olympic final, a throw of 89.45m was the best he could manage. In Lausanne, he was a mere four centimetres away. 

Rising Rivals, Fiercer Battles Ahead

As Neeraj celebrated a long-awaited personal victory, the night wasn’t over yet. German thrower Julian Weber raised the stakes further with a 91.06m throw, pushing Neeraj to second place. It was a powerful reminder: while Chopra had broken through a mental and physical ceiling, the global competition was heating up.

This edition of the Diamond League is already being hailed as one of the greatest javelin competitions in recent history. The 90m club welcomed not one but two new members that night—Chopra and Weber—taking the total to 26 athletes worldwide who’ve achieved this rare feat.

Interestingly, Doha has proven lucky for javelin history. Five of the 26 throwers achieved their best here, including legends like Thomas Röhler and Anderson Peters. The Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium, it seems, is becoming a temple for javelin milestones.

And then, there’s Jan Železný—the towering Czech legend and current world record holder with a jaw-dropping 98.48m throw. As both Chopra’s coach and hero, Železný has a huge influence and sets a high standard in the sport. With Chopra under his guidance and now finally past 90m, the stage is set for even more electrifying showdowns.