Neeraj Chopra targets victory at next Diamond League event after narrow miss in Doha

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has expressed his determination to excel in the upcoming Diamond League meetings following a narrowly missed victory at the Doha event. In his season opener, Chopra secured a second-place finish with a throw of 88.36 metres, falling just two centimeters short of Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch, who clinched the title with a throw of 88.38 metres.

Despite this close competition, Chopra's performance was noteworthy as he competed against some of the world's best, including two-time world champion Anderson Peters, who finished third with a throw of 86.62 meters. Throughout the event, Chopra closely trailed Vadlejch, making a strong final attempt to defend his title but ultimately fell short.

Reflecting on the event, Chopra remained optimistic and focused on future competitions. "The most important competition for me this year is Paris Olympics, but Diamond League meetings are important too. This was the opener for me this season, I finished second with a narrow two-centimetre margin but next time I will try to draw far and try to win," said Chopra.

The next opportunity for Chopra to compete in the men's javelin will be at the Paris Diamond League on July 7. This event presents another chance for Chopra to demonstrate his skill and perhaps secure a win in the highly competitive field.

Chopra also took a moment to acknowledge the support he received from the Indian diaspora in Qatar. "The support I am getting from the Indian people here in Qatar is always amazing, there aren't words enough for me to thank them for their support," he expressed gratefully.

Looking ahead, the Diamond League series will continue to be a crucial platform for Chopra as he prepares for the Paris Olympics. The series not only provides high-level competition but also awards points to athletes based on their rankings in each event, with the top six javelin throwers qualifying for the Diamond League Finals in Brussels on September 13-14.

The winner of these finals will be awarded the prestigious Diamond League champion's trophy, a prize that Chopra is undoubtedly aiming to claim once again.

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(With PTI inputs)