Diamond League: Neeraj Chopra finally breaches 90m barrier, but finishes second at Doha

INDIA's ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finally breached the 90-meter frontier, but still had to settle for a second place at the Doha leg of the prestigious Diamond League Meeting series on Friday (16).

The 27-year-old double Olympic medallist Indian sent his spear 90.23m in his third attempt, but fell behind Germany's Julian Weber, whose sixth and final throw measured 91.06m.

For Weber also it was his first 90m-plus effort. Chopra has become the third Asian and 25th overall to achieve the feat.

Reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem (92.97m) of Pakistan and Chao-Tsun Cheng (91.36m) of Chinese Taipei are the two other Asians to have breached the coveted mark.

Two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada was a distant third with his opening throw of 84.65m.

"I am very happy to have breached the 90m mark but it's a bitter-sweet experience," said Chopra, whose earlier personal best was 89.94m.

"My coach Jan Zelezny said today is the day when I can throw 90m. The wind helps and the weather is a little warm and that helps. I also told Julian that we can throw 90m. I am also happy for him (Julian).

For the last five years, Chopra has been asked several times when he would breach the 90m mark.

With the monkey off his back, Chopra asserted that his best is yet to come and fans can expect more 90m throws this year.

A confident and injury-free Chopra is focusing on fine-tuning a few aspects under Zelezny's tutelage.

Zelezny was roped in as Chopra's coach in November last year. But Chopra said they have been working together since February only.

The other Indian in the fray, Kishore Jena finished eighth in an 11-man field with a below-par throw of 78.60m.