With the World Athletics Championships around the corner, it will be interesting to keep close track of Neeraj Chopra who is defending champion in Tokyo
With less then three weeks to go for the prestigious Tokyo World Athletics Championships in Japan, India’s ace javelin thrower and two time Olympic and worlds medallist, Neeraj Chopra, has pulled out of Brussels Diamond League scheduled to be held on August 22 in Belgium. Chopra’s team hasn’t posted anything on his pull out on the social media platform.
Earlier, the Indian star thrower skipped the Silesia Diamond League on August 16.
Chopra is currently based out of the Czech Republic in preparation for the Worlds starting September 13. But skipping two back-to-back major one-day competitions has come as a surprise. He last competed at Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on July 5. He won the event with a throw of 86.18. This year Chopra has shown good form and touched the 90m mark in his first competition at Doha Diamond League. He has participated in six events this year.
Since July Chopra hasn’t competed in any event. Post 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Chopra had complained about abductor strain. However, he went on to compete at the 2024 Diamond League Final and finished runner-up.
Despite skipping two back-to-back Diamond Leagues, the Indian ace javelin thrower has 15 points in his kitty and is eligible for the final leg of the Diamond League on August 28 in Zurich.
For the Diamond League Final in men’s javelin throw, Keshorn Walcott is leading the field with 17 points. Julian Weber is second in the list with 15 points and Chopra is third in the standing.
At the 2024 edition of the Diamond League Final, Chopra finished runner-up to Anderson Peters.
The Indian javelin thrower is among 10 champion athletes that World Athletics has featured in the list “one to watch during Worlds in Japan”.
After a modest start to the 2025 season, the two-time Olympic Games medallist joined the 90m club at Doha Diamond League in May. He finished with a throw of 90.23m. Germany’s Julian Weber finished first with a throw of 91.06m.
Chopra last competed at the Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 5 in Bengaluru. He won the title with a throw of 86.18m. “It was a nervous start in front of the home crowd, but I did my best,” Chopra had said after winning the event he hosted.
Chopra is currently training in the Czech Republic under the guidance of his new coach Jan Zelezny. His coaching staff also includes physio Ishaan Marwaha and Indian manager.
Chopra has been the most consistent of all the javelin throwers at the global level. He has learned the art of performing in all weather conditions. And on several occasions defied logic to bounce back in contention for the podium finish. But it will be interesting to keep a track of Chopra’s performance at the Diamond League Final.
ENDS
