Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold and silver medal-winning Indian javelin thrower, will lead Indian challenge at the Doha Diamond League on May 16. Diamond League is the top tier event of the World Athletics.
Neeraj will look to reclaim the title that he first won in 2023 with a giant throw of 88.67. Last season he finished second with a throw of 88.36, with Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch pipping him by 0.02m. This time, at the third DL of the year, Neeraj will be joined by his renowned rivals – two-time world champion and Paris Olympics bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada, 2024 winner Vadlejch, Julian Weber and Max Dehning of Germany, Julius Yego of Kenya and Roderick Genki Dean of Japan.Last year, Kishore Jena had joined Neeraj and finished ninth with a throw of 76.31m. But this time, Neeraj will be the sole Indian representative in javelin throw at the Diamond League. Neeraj, who won the Diamond League final in Zürich in 2022, made a good start to the season by winning the Potch Invitional Meet with a throw of 84.52m at Potchefstroom in South Africa. With World Championships in Tokyo in September the biggest attraction of the year, Neeraj, currently training under legendary Jan Zelezny – the world record holder – will look to give his best in Doha. Neeraj has recovered from the injuries that troubled him last year. “Last year taught me a lot, but I was proud to be on the podium for India once again at the Olympic Games. I’m now fully fit and really enjoying the hard work that Jan Železný and I are putting in. I’m looking forward to opening my season in Doha. The crowd at the Qatar Sports Club is always loud, and I think that brings out the best in all of us. I know the fans expect big things from me when I compete here – and with good conditions and a great atmosphere that’s definitely possible – but I pride myself on my consistency, which I believe is one of my greatest strengths. For me, that’s more important than just chasing a number,” he said.In another milestone moment for Indian athletics, there will be total of three athletes competing at the Doha Diamond League. Besides Neeraj, the other two Indians in the fray are national record holder Gulveer Singh, who will make his Diamond League debut, in men’s 5000m and Parul Chaudhary in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. Chaudhary is the national record holder in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.Indian athletes in the fray at Doha Diamond League:Neeraj Chopra – Men’s javelin throw Gulveer Singh – Men’s 5000m Parul Chaudhary – Women’s 3000m steeplechase