Double Olympic medallist Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Tuesday confirmed that he would kick off his season at the Doha Diamond League scheduled for May 16 in the Qatari capital.
Chopra won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and then a silver at the 2024 Paris Games.
He said that he is looking forward to competing in front of one of athletics’ most passionate crowds when he returns to the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Doha for the third year in a row.
Chopra claimed victory at the Qatar Sports Club with a world lead of 88.67m in 2023.
“I’m always overwhelmed by the support I get from the Indian people in Qatar – there aren’t enough words to thank them,” said the athlete.
The 27-year-old is currently coached by Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic, the world javelin record holder and a multiple Olympic and world champion.
A sporting icon, Chopra became the first Indian track and field athlete to win Olympic gold and World Championship gold, as well as the first Indian ever to win a Diamond League meeting and the Diamond League title.
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He narrowly missed out on more glory last season, finishing second to Arshad Nadeem in the Olympic final and to Anderson Peters at the Diamond League Final in Brussels.