Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra vowed to go one step ahead in the next Diamond League meeting after finishing a close second during the Doha leg here. Chopra finished second at the Doha Diamond League as his big final effort of 88.36m fell short by just two centimeters of Jakub Vadlejch’s winning effort on Friday night.

Chopra, 26, trailed the veteran Czech—who won the title with his third throw of 88.38m—throughout the competition. Chopra, taking part in his first competition of the season, made a last ditch effort, but the Indian superstar failed to defend the title. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters took the third sport with a throw measuring 86.62m.