Just 9cm Short: Neeraj Chopra’s Season-Best 88.05m Wasn’t Enough To Beat Pathirage In Diamond League- Watch

Neeraj Chopra was edged by just nine centimetres as Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage once again finished ahead of the Indian star at the Lausanne Diamond League on Friday.

Chopra looked set to turn the tables after producing a stunning 88.05m throw in the second round, which briefly moved him into the lead. But Pathirage responded with an 88.14m effort in the very next round to reclaim first place and ultimately seal the victory.

The narrow margin proved enough for Pathirage, who extended his unbeaten record against Chopra in their three meetings this season. Grenada’s Anderson Peters completed the podium with a season-best 86.69m.

Pathirage Finds Another Answer

The Lausanne contest added another chapter to what is quickly becoming one of javelin’s most intriguing rivalries.

Pathirage had already finished ahead of Chopra at the Doha Diamond League in June, where he won with 88.68m. He then claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with Chopra taking silver.

Chopra arrived in Lausanne with another opportunity to finish on top, and his second-round effort appeared to put him in command.

After opening with 83.54m, Chopra unleashed an 88.05m throw in his second attempt. The effort took him into first place and was followed by his trademark celebration.

Pathirage responded immediately.

The Sri Lankan sent his third-round throw 88.14m, moving 9cm ahead of Chopra and reclaiming the lead.

Chopra could not produce another throw beyond the 88-metre mark. His third attempt measured 83.72m, before a foul in the fourth round further reduced his chances of reclaiming the lead.

He then passed his fifth-round attempt, while Pathirage also recorded a foul, leaving the standings unchanged heading into the final round.

Chopra needed to find another big effort in his sixth and final attempt, but his last throw travelled only a little over 82 metres.

That left Pathirage at the top with 88.14m, while Chopra's 88.05m was enough for second place.

Anderson Peters produced one of his strongest performances of the season to finish third with 86.69m.

Former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott took fourth with 83.71m, while Marc Anthony Minichello finished fifth with 80.06m.

Men's Javelin Final Standings - Top Five

1. Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka) - 88.14m

2. Neeraj Chopra (India) - 88.05m

3. Anderson Peters (Grenada) - 86.69m

4. Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) - 83.71m

5. Marc Anthony Minichello (USA) - 80.06m

With another victory by the slimmest of margins, Pathirage has now finished ahead of Chopra in all three of their encounters this season, adding further intrigue to an increasingly compelling javelin rivalry.