3 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Jun 18, 2026 03:51 PM IST
Double Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is ready to make a comeback and begin his season on the Doha Diamond League on Friday after struggling an damage on the Tokyo World Championships final yr.
Nevertheless, he has a little bit of remorse. “I don’t suppose it was a very good determination to compete in Tokyo figuring out that I used to be already carrying an damage,” Neeraj stated within the pre-event press convention of the Doha Diamond League.
“In athletes’ lives, if you happen to attempt to save one damage, there’s one other one that may come up. However it was the final competitors of the yr, so I pushed for it.”
Chopra battled a again damage sustained throughout coaching earlier than the World championships and performed in Tokyo with it. The restoration took a while as he’s set to make his return after an area of 9 months.
“I had requested the organizers if it was positive to substantiate my entry near the event they usually have been positive with it,” stated Chopra.
Final week, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) added him provisionally to the Commonwealth Video games 2026 squad after he confirmed his competitors readiness.
“Neeraj shall be able to compete in just a few days and he must breach the 82.61m mark set by AFI for Commonwealth Video games qualification,” AFI’s chairman of choice committee Adille Sumariwalla had stated final week.
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Nevertheless, efficiency shouldn’t be a fear for Neeraj, as Doha is taken into account among the finest venues for javelin throwers and it’s the similar venue the place he crossed the elusive 90m mark final yr.
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“Sure, I’ve that reminiscence of the 90m mark throw. That’s the reason it’s certainly one of my favorite venues. Though, Julian Weber instantly threw greater than me that night time,” Neeraj quipped when requested.
Though, he believes that the 90m throw was not excellent technically. “I don’t suppose the 90m throw was technically good. It got here out quick from my arm but when I might do higher with my decrease, I’ll enhance 2-3m extra,” stated Neeraj.
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Neeraj shall be up towards a World class discipline with Sri Lankan Javelin sensation and World chief Rumesh Pathirage, reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott, former world champion Anderson Peters, Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch and Kenyan legend Julius Yego finishing the road up.
“I’m completely happy for Rumesh. He is an effective thrower and it’s good to see somebody from Sri Lanka throwing that nicely,” Neeraj stated when requested concerning the exploits of Rumesh Pathirage.
After the Tokyo World Championships, Neeraj additionally parted methods together with his coach and Javelin legend Jan Zelenzy. Presently, he trains with Jay Chaudhary, his senior and coach from early days. “I needed to concentrate on my approach and implement my concepts. I’ve obtained a very good workforce with me. Jay has recognized me because the early days, he has seen my complete journey. So, he understands my approach higher,” stated Neeraj.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how his physique turns up after such an extended damage layoff in such a aggressive discipline.