India’s ace javelin thrower is favourite for 2025 Diamond League Trophy. His other goal will be to defend world title in Japan

After winning first position in men’s javelin throw at the Paris Diamond League on June 21, Neeraj Chopra minced no words saying cricket is big in India but he was happy to make a big impression in global athletics.  “Cricket is big. But I’m happy to represent India in track and field. There are other junior athletes doing well and should make an impression in coming years,” Chopra said in an interview post Paris Diamond League win.

Chopra’s first attempt of 88.16m in Paris eventually turned out to be a winning throw as his closest rival Julian Weber from Germany could only manage 87.88m. Weber finished second.

Going by Paris Diamond League performance the race for 2025 Diamond League Trophy in men’s javelin is likely to be between Chopra and Weber. The two-day Diamond League final will be in Zurich, Switzerland in August.

The major competition, however, will be the Tokyo World Athletics Championships scheduled to be held from September 13 to 21 in Japan.

Chopra, the two-time Olympic Games medallist will have to stay in peak zone to successfully defend his world title in Tokyo.

Pakistan’s Olympic champion, Arshad Nadeem, will be one to watch. Nadeem made his appearance this year at the Gumi Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. He won gold with a throw of 86.40m, a season best.

The field in Diamond League is limited but global competition will be a different ball game.