New Delhi: Two -time Olympic medalist Bhalafenk player Neeraj Chopra will start his Diamond League campaign here on Friday, while his eyes will be on retaining the title in the World Championship to be held later this year.
Chopra will get a lot of support here due to the large number of Indians. He will be encountered with two -time world champion and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Grenada’s Anderson Peters, Jacob Wadlesh of the Czech Republic, Julian Weber of Germany and Max Dehhaning, Julius Joo of Kenya and Roderick Zenki Dean of Japan.
He has been a rival of Chopra in all the big events. The Paris Olympics 2024 gold medalist Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan is not participating in it.
The Asian Games silver medalist is also among the 11 contestants of India’s teenagers Jena. Jenna’s best private performance is 87.54 meters, which last time with a throw of 76.31 meters here.
Vadlesh won the title here with a throw of 88.38 meters while Chopra was two centimeters behind. Peters were third with 86.62 meters.
Chopra, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and silver medal in Paris, first participated in the Diamond League here in 2018 and finished fourth. He won the title here in 2023 and finished second in 2024.
Chopra, who is taking coaching from Jeevan Zelanzi of the Czech Republic, a world record holder, said, ‘I am always overwhelmed by the support from Indians in Qatar. I do not have words to thank them.
Chopra’s best private performance is 89.94 meters and he wants to cross the 90 meter barrier this time. The best performance of Jailenji has been 98.48 meters.
National record holders Ghulaveer Singh and Parul Chaudhary will land in 5000 and 3000 meters of men and women respectively.
Chopra, Peters, Yigo, Dean and Jenna were to play Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on 24 May, but were postponed due to military confrontation between India and Pakistan. Chopra will then play Olelen Januj Kusosinki Smriti tournament in Poland. He will participate in the Golden Spike 2025 in the Czech Republic from 24 June where he could not play due to injury in the last two seasons.
