New Delhi: Olympic champion and Indian javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra boasts an extraordinary fan base that extends well beyond his home country, captivating audiences worldwide. His immense popularity is not solely attributed to his stellar performances on the field but also to his humble and approachable demeanor, which has endeared him to fans globally.

An exemplary moment that highlights Neeraj’s character occurred after the Diamond League final event in Brussels. As Neeraj was making his way towards his vehicle, two enthusiastic young female fans called out to him from behind the barricade, eager for a picture and autograph. True to his nature, Neeraj graciously stopped to fulfill their requests. The interaction took a charming turn when one of the fans boldly asked for his phone number, showcasing the adoration his fans have for him.

In the Diamond League finale, Neeraj narrowly missed securing the championship title by a mere one centimeter. He finished in second place for the second consecutive year with an impressive throw of 87.86 meters on Saturday. The 26-year-old athlete, who had previously clinched the Diamond League trophy in 2022 before finishing as runner-up last year, achieved his best throw of the day on his third attempt. Unfortunately, this effort was just 1cm shy of the winning throw by Anderson Peters, who achieved 87.87 meters.

Anderson Peters from Grenada, a two-time world champion, established his best throw of the day during his first attempt. Julian Weber from Germany secured third place with a throw of 85.97 meters. Neeraj Chopra, who added a silver medal to his illustrious Olympic medal collection in Paris following a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Games, concluded his season on a high note.

Neeraj’s personal best stands at a remarkable 89.94 meters, with a season’s best of 89.49 meters. In Brussels, his series of throws were 86.82 meters, 83.49 meters, 87.86 meters, 82.04 meters, 83.30 meters, and 86.46 meters. For his victory in the Diamond League series, Peters will receive a Diamond League trophy and a prize of USD 30,000.

Neeraj will be awarded USD 12,000 for his second-place finish in the grand finale, which marks the conclusion of the prestigious Diamond League series after 14 legs and signals the end of the international athletics season. Despite winning only one international event this season—the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland on June 18—Neeraj demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season.

He secured a spot in the Diamond League final by finishing fourth overall with 14 points accumulated from two second-place finishes in one-day meets in Doha and Lausanne on May 10 and August 22, respectively. However, Neeraj has been grappling with fitness issues throughout the season, particularly a groin injury that has hindered his pursuit of surpassing the coveted 90-meter mark. He is expected to consult with a doctor to address this ongoing injury as he prepares for future competitions.