Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra produced his best throw in more than a year but finished second after Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage edged him by just nine centimetres at the Lausanne Diamond League on Friday.Chopra's second-round effort of 88.05m briefly put him on top of the nine-man field before Pathirage responded with 88.14m in the third round. Grenada's Anderson Peters finished third with 86.69m.The 88.05m throw was Chopra's best since his 88.16m effort while winning the Paris Diamond League in June 2025. It also improved on his previous season-best of 85.83m, recorded while winning silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.“I didn't know that it was nine centimetres. It was really close, but I'm happy with the 88-metre throw,” Chopra said after the competition.“To be honest, that 88-metre throw doesn't feel like it went 88. I felt very relaxed, and that's why I tried really hard. But later I forgot my technique. I'm really happy with the 88 metres today. With every competition, I'm coming back.”The Lausanne result marked the third consecutive competition in which the 23-year-old Pathirage has finished ahead of Chopra this season. The Sri Lankan previously beat him at the Doha Diamond League and Glasgow Commonwealth Games.Pathirage has been in exceptional form, winning eight of his nine competitions this season. He has also crossed 90m, producing a season-leading 92.62m in Rome, while his Commonwealth Games-winning throw measured 89.75m.Chopra, meanwhile, is continuing his comeback from a lower-back injury that disrupted his preparations. He opened in Lausanne with 83.54m before his 88.05m effort, followed by 83.72m, a no-mark, and 82.15m in his final throw.The second-place finish moved Chopra into the top five of the Diamond League season standings. The top six javelin throwers qualify for the September 4-5 Diamond League Finals in Brussels.Chopra also praised the atmosphere in Switzerland, where…
This report has been adapted by the PurePlay Sports Desk from coverage by The Bridge, NDTV Sports.