ONE CENTIMETER can make all the difference. Specifically in the case of the men’s javelin, it made an $18,000 difference.
Germany’s Julian Weber got off the competition’s first big throw, a launch of 282-0 (85.97) in round 1. He was followed minutes later by Paris bronze medalist Anderson Peters, who took the lead with an impressive 288-3 (87.87). Then India’s Neeraj Chopra, the silver medalist, hit 284-10 (86.82). (Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan was not eligible, having only competed at two meets all year.)
Peters kept the pressure on with a second throw of 285-4 (86.96). On his third Chopra came as close as possible, his 288-3 (86.86) just a centimeter away from the lead. Peters led the next two rounds with throws of 281-8 (85.85) and 275-11 (84.11). Chopra on his last chance managed a credible 283-8 (86.46) but had to take the loss. Peters closed out his day with another big one, the comp’s third 288-3 (87.86), short just a centimeter of his own best.
“I am still in very good shape,” he noted. “The goal today was obviously to win the Diamond League trophy.”
Chopra, the ’22 champion, later revealed he was throwing with a considerable handicap. “On Monday, I injured myself in practice and x-rays showed that I had fractured the fourth metacarpal in my [non-throwing] left hand. It was another painful challenge for me.” He added, “While I couldn’t meet my own expectations, I feel this was a season in which I learned a lot.”
Results
1. Anderson Peters (Grn) 288-3 (87.87) (288-3, 285-4, 280-2, 281-8, 275-11, 288-3) (87.87, 86.96, 85.40, 85.85, 84.11, 87.86); 2. Neeraj Chopra (Ind) 288-3 (87.86) (284-10, 273-11, 288-3, 269-2, 273-3, 283-8) (86.82, 83.49, 87.86, 82.04, 83.30, 86.46); 3. Julian Weber (Ger) 282-0 (85.97); 4. Andrian Mardare (Mol) 271-7 (82.79); 5. Genki Dean (Jpn) 263-8 (80.37); 6. Artur Felfner (Ukr) 262-0 (79.86).
