3 min learnJun 20, 2026 12:21 AM IST
There was hypothesis whether or not double Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra would function on the Commonwealth Video games 2026 and when he would begin his season. On the day of CWG squad announcement, the Athletics Federation of India on Sunday added him provisionally to the squad on the situation that he clears the qualification mark of 82.61 metres.
On the Doha Diamond League on Friday, he put all of the doubts to relaxation with a finest mark of 85.69m. Neeraj not solely breached the qualification mark, he additionally grew to become the primary Indian thrower to cross the 85m mark this yr.
Coming back from a protracted harm layoff after the Tokyo World Championships, Neeraj didn’t begin on a very good notice. Neeraj recorded a no mark with World Championships bronze medallist Curtis Thompson of the USA main with 85.99m after the primary spherical.
Nonetheless, within the second spherical, Neeraj breached the qualification mark for the Commonwealth Video games. Along with his 82.77m throw, he simply went previous the 82.61m mark set by AFI. Anderson Peters took the lead after the second spherical with a 86.38m throw as Neeraj was stationed in fourth place.
Enhancing additional within the third spherical, Neeraj registered a throw of 85.69m and moved to 3rd.
Sri Lankan prodigy and world chief Rumesh Pathirage recorded 88.68m in his fourth throw to take the lead pushing Neeraj to fourth place. Rumesh Pathirage has been the very best javelin thrower this season by miles with the highest three marks on the earth. He’s additionally the one thrower to cross the 90m mark with 92.62m.
The rescheduling of Doha Diamond League because of the US-Iran warfare proved essential for Neeraj as he obtained an opportunity to start out his season at one of many favorite venues.
Story continues beneath this advert
“I had requested the organizers if it was nice to verify my entry near the event and so they have been nice with it,” mentioned Neeraj.
It’s the similar venue the place Neeraj had crossed the elusive 90m mark final yr however misplaced the title to Germany’s Julian Weber who trumped his mark along with his throw of 91m. “Sure, I’ve that reminiscence of the 90m mark throw. That’s the reason it’s one in all my favorite venues. Though, Julian Weber instantly threw larger than me that evening,” Neeraj mentioned on the eve of the Doha Diamond League.
He, nevertheless, believes that the 90m throw was not excellent technically. “I don’t assume the 90m throw was technically good. It got here out quick from my arm but when I may do higher with my decrease physique, I’ll enhance 2-3 metres extra,” mentioned Neeraj.