Reigning champion Neeraj Chopra returns to Diamond League in Doha

Neeraj Chopra will be competing for the first time as a Diamond League champion when he takes the track in Doha. Against him will be his usual foes in the first of the prestigious meetings series starting Friday.

Chopra, 25, also a 2022 World Championships silver medallist, faces the likes of reigning world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic in a star-studded field at the Qatar Sports Club.

In his only participation in the Doha Diamond League, Chopra had finished fourth with 87.43m in 2018. He missed last year’s leg due to lack of “overall fitness and strength”.

“Doha’s famous for 90m throws,” says Neeraj Chopra at the pre-Diamond League media conference in Doha. Hopefully, we will see some, including from him tomorrow. He is handling his role as an ambassador for Indian sport with great charm. #Athletics #DohaDiamondLeague @afiindia pic.twitter.com/RuiVXyo3zv

— G Rajaraman (@g_rajaraman) May 4, 2023

Despite missing the Doha event, Chopra went on to script history. He became the first Indian Diamond League champion after winning the finale in Zurich in September. A month before that, he became the first Indian to win a Diamond League meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Last month, Chopra said he was feeling better “physically and technically”, but acknowledged it will not be easy for him to win the top prize in the season-opening Diamond League, going by the incredible competition witnessed last season.

Besides the decorated trio of Chopra, Peters and Vadlejch, the Doha Meeting will also have European champion Julian Weber, Keshorn Walcott and former world champion Julius Yego.

For Chopra, the elusive target will be to cross the 90m mark, the gold standard in the world of javelin.

Chopra said he would look to cross the coveted mark this year, though he is not putting himself under pressure.

As he prepares for #DohaDiamondLeague, @Neeraj_chopra1 reflects on the progress of #IndianAthletics. @AFIIndia