New Delhi: Double-Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra on Friday qualified for the Diamond League final after finishing in the top six of the annual series tournament, hosted under the aegis of the World Athletics.
Neeraj has accounted for 15 points after the second-place finish in the Lausanne Diamond League last month which fetched him seven points. The Indian track and field ace was joint-third in the standings along with Germany’s Julian Weber. The top six javelin throwers in the Diamond League series will earn qualification for the two-day final in Brussels.
Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who threw 90.61m in Lausanne, topped the charts with 21 points while Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch finished at the second spot with 16 points. Andrian Mardare (Moldova) and Roderick Genki Dean (Japan) are the other two finalists.
Neeraj Chopra won the Diamond League title in 2022 in Zurich, becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious event. However, he failed to defend his title in Eugene last year with Vadlejch taking the trophy home.
The Diamond League final in Brussels on September 13 and 14 will be the 26-year-old Indian’s next big event after the Paris Olympics in August. Neeraj claimed silver in the Summer Games with then season best throw of 89.45m. He marginally bettered the throw with 89.49m in the Lausanne Diamond League.
Neeraj Chopra opted out of Zurich Diamond League
Neeraj Chopra decided to skip the Zurich Diamond League held on September 5. After being assured of a place in the Diamond League final in Brussels, the reigning world champion apparently wanted some rest to prepare for the summit clash and avoid injury.
Chopra has been battling with a long-standing groin hernia, including his participation in the Paris Olympics. He is the only Indian to win two medals at the quadrennial showpiece event in track and field events, standalone gold medal in Tokyo three years ago.
Neeraj Chopra won the Diamond League title in 2022 in Zurich, becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious event. However, he failed to defend his title in Eugene last year with Vadlejch taking the trophy home. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
