Reigning Olympian and world javelin champion Neeraj Chopra will start his season in the Doha leg of the prestigious Diamond League series on May 10 in a star-studded field. The 26-year-old Chopra, who finished his season with gold at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, aims to defend his Olympic gold in Paris later this year. Chopra’s compatriot Kishore Jena, who finished fifth at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and won silver in Hangzhou with a personal best of 87.54 metres, will make his Diamond League debut in the Qatari capital.
Chopra will face high-profile rivals such as Czech Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver at the Tokyo Olympics and bronze at the 2023 World Championships, and former world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada.
“This year my personal goal is to defend my Olympic title, but it would also mean a lot to me to break the 90 meter barrier. The Doha Meeting, with good conditions and a great atmosphere, is a perfect opportunity to start my season in the best possible way,” said Chopra, who has a personal best of 89.94 meters.
“I am always overwhelmed by the warm support I receive from Indians all over the world and in Qatar it is particularly special. I feel privileged that so many people have come to support me and I hope that I can repay their trust in me with a good feeling.” performance.” Others taking the field at Qatar Sports Club include European champion Julian Weber of Germany (PB 89.54m), Oliver Helander of Germany (PB 89.83m), Qatari record holder Ahmed Bader Magour (PB 85.23m), Lithuanian record holder and world University Games champion Edis Matusevicius (PB 89.17m) and Asian Games bronze medalist Roderick Genki Dean of Japan (PB 84.28m).
Chopra had taken first place here in the 2023 season with a throw of 88.67 meters, ahead of Vadlejch and Peters.
The javelin event has built a reputation in recent years for its high quality. If circumstances allow, a lot is expected of the main players on May 10.
Peters, who finished third 12 months ago, achieved a national record in 2022 and the fifth longest throw in history (93.07 m), while reigning Diamond League champion Vadlejch, who finished second to Chopra in 2023, recorded a personal best in the memorable 2022 encounter with his first-ever throw over 90 yards (90.88 meters).
Chopra’s continued excellence has raised the bar for Indian athletes.
“Last year my dream was to win the World Championships, but to have three Indian athletes competing in the final shows that we are making progress as a country,” he said.
The Doha Meeting is the third meeting of the 2024 Diamond League series, which includes a total of 15 legs spread over four different continents, starting with Xiamen on April 20 and ending with a single final spread over two days in Brussels (13- September 14).
The first two meetings in Xiamen and Shanghai will not feature the men’s javelin as a Diamond League event.
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