New Delhi [India], September 15 (ANI): Neeraj Chopra, the silver medallist at the Paris Olympics, extended his heartfelt gratitude to his supporters for their unwavering encouragement throughout his challenging 2024 campaign.

On a tense Sunday, Chopra narrowly missed clinching another title by a mere 1 centimetre, ultimately finishing second in the Diamond League final held at the iconic King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, Belgium. His best throw of 87.86 metres showcased his relentless determination and skill.

Reflecting on his journey, Chopra took to his official social media handle on Monday to share his thoughts on the year’s experiences. He candidly discussed the highs and lows he faced, including an unfortunate injury sustained during practice. “As the 2024 season ends, I look back on everything I’ve learned – about improvement, setbacks, mentality, and more. On Monday, I injured myself in practice, and X-rays revealed a fracture in the fourth metacarpal of my left hand. It was yet another painful challenge. However, with the support of my team, I was able to compete in Brussels,” Chopra posted on X.

Despite the physical setback, Chopra’s resilience was evident as he competed fiercely in the final event of the year. “This was the last competition of the year, and I wanted to finish my season on the track. While I didn’t meet my own expectations, I feel this was a season of great learning. I’m now determined to return stronger, fully fit, and ready for 2025. Thank you all for your support. 2024 has made me a better athlete and person. See you in 2025. Jai Hind,” he added.

The Diamond League final saw Chopra starting strong with an impressive throw of 86.82m, positioning him just behind Peters, whose winning throw was recorded in the opening round. Julian Weber also showcased his prowess with a notable first attempt. Chopra’s subsequent throws were marked by consistency and effort: 83.49m, a close third attempt missing Peters by just 1 centimetre, followed by throws measuring 82.04m, 83.30m, and finally 86.46m.

This appearance marked Chopra’s fifth participation in the Diamond League final, reflecting his growth and consistency over the years. He placed seventh in 2017, fourth in 2018, and triumphantly won the Diamond League crown in 2022 with an outstanding throw of 88.44m. Last year, he secured second place behind Jakub Vadlejch with a throw of 83.80m.

The 26-year-old athlete demonstrated commendable performance throughout this season’s Diamond League meets, accumulating 14 points to qualify for the final. He finished second in both the Doha leg in May and the Lausanne event last month, ultimately placing fourth on the overall points table among seven competitors in the men’s javelin throw final.

Chopra’s notable achievements include setting a national record of 89.94m at the Stockholm leg of the Diamond League in 2022 and achieving his career’s second-best throw of 89.49m at the Lausanne meet last month. His silver-winning throw in Paris measured an impressive 89.45m, further solidifying his status as a formidable athlete.

With unwavering determination and a commitment to continuous improvement, Neeraj Chopra looks forward to returning stronger and fully fit for the 2025 season.