Doha, May 9
As Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic javelin superstar, gears up for the Paris Games, his preparations face a formidable challenge in the first leg of the prestigious Diamond League meet. Scheduled to commence on Friday, this event promises a showdown against a familiar yet star-studded field.
Chopra, aged 26 and reigning world and Asian Games champion, will square off against seasoned competitors such as former world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and the Czech Republic’s Olympic and world-medallist Jakub Vadlejch. Joining them is Chopra’s compatriot Kishore Jena, Asian Games silver-medallist, making his Diamond League debut.
With a personal best of 87.54m, Jena joins Chopra, whose national record stands at 89.94m. The field also includes European champion Julian Weber of Germany, setting the stage for an electrifying clash among the 10-man lineup.
Chopra, the defending champion, aims to replicate his previous success, having kickstarted his title-laden 2023 season with a victory over Vadlejch and Peters. The stakes are high, especially with Peters’ history-making throw of 93.07m in 2022 and Vadlejch’s impressive 90.88m personal best.
The upcoming event marks Chopra’s return to domestic competitions after three years, with the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships scheduled in Bhubaneswar from May 12 to 15. Following this, Chopra will compete in the prestigious Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, aiming to defend his Olympic title and breach the elusive 90m barrier.
Speaking on his preparations, Chopra emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness and preventing injuries. His focus remains unwavering, aimed squarely at delivering his best performance in Paris.
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