Weber dominates Zurich javelin final as Chopra finishes second

Julian Weber produced a dominant display of power to win the men's javelin at the Diamond League Final in Zurich on Thursday, while India's Neeraj Chopra salvaged second place with a last-gasp 85.01 metre throw. The one-day finale at Letzigrund Stadium closed the 14-leg series and set the stage for next month's World Championships in Tokyo.

Weber opened the competition with an emphatic 91.37m and followed with another 91m-plus effort that some reports recorded as 91.51m and others as 91.57m. Those second-round marks were widely described as a personal best and a season world-leading performance, putting the German well clear of the field. Chopra, the reigning world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, finished second after an uneven night in which he produced three fouls but secured a late 85.01m to edge out Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, who took bronze with 84.95m. Defending Diamond League champion Anderson Peters of Grenada was fourth with 82.06m.

Chopra began the final with an opening effort of 84.35m, followed by 82.00m, before a string of fouls left him in third place going into his final attempt. The last-round throw moved him up to second and preserved his...