Neeraj Chopra, an Indian javelin sensation, will begin his Diamond League defense at the Doha Meeting on Friday, May 5. Following a career-best and national record throw of 89.94 meters at BAUHAUS-Galan in Stockholm, Chopra became the first Indian to win a gold medal in a track and field event at the Olympics. He won the league that year.Due to an injury, Chopra had to withdraw from the 2022 meeting in Doha and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham as a precaution. In his nonappearance, Grenadas Anderson Peterson kept the fifth-longest toss in Spear history, 93.07 in Doha.“This year brings new opportunities, whereas last year was good for me with a new personal best, a world silver medal, and the Wanda Diamond League victory. Along with defending my Wanda Diamond League title and attending the Asian Games, my summer goal is to compete in the World Championships. Im likewise drawing nearer to the 90m imprint, so it would mean a ton for me to break that hindrance,” Chopra was cited on the Jewel Association site.”Chopra discussed how it had affected him after receiving good support during the Diamond League tour last year.I look forward to opening my 2023 Wanda Diamond League season with incredible athletes and a passionate crowd in Doha. “Im always overwhelmed by the warm support I get from Indians across the world, and in Qatar, that is especially special,” the Indian athlete said.The 25-year-old continued, “I must inspire my nation and its people.” I will continue to exert myself as I have always done to achieve my constant desire for improvement.”There will be 14 meets in the 2023 Diamond League, starting in Doha and ending in a single final over two days in Eugene (16-17 September).Chopra, who won the grand finale of the Diamond League in September of last year, will compete in the first meet of the seasons 14-leg one-day series with world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Olympic silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic.Chopra, who finished second at the Stockholm Diamond League meeting last year and has a personal best of 89.94 meters, is currently training in Turkey. He will leave on May 31.Chopra was sidelined by an injury at the 2022 Doha Diamond League Meeting, where Peters won the title with a throw of 93.07 meters, the fifth-longest in history. Vadlejch, who won bronze at the World Championships, had placed second with a throw of 90.88 meters, a personal best.The Doha Meeting will feature the German Olympic and world fourth-place finisher with a best of 89.54 meters, European champion Julian Weber, and former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott (PB: 90.16 meters), a native of Trinidad and Tobago, Julius Yego, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist and former world champion. Kenya (92.72 meters)This year, Chopra wants to break the 90-meter barrier, the gold standard in the javelin world.“Im likewise drawing nearer to the 90m imprint, so it would mean a great deal for me to break that boundary,” he said.“While last year was a decent year for me with another individual best, world silver decoration, and the success of the Wanda Jewel Association, this year brings new open doors. Along with the Asian Games and defending my Wanda Diamond League title, my summer objective is the World Championships.” After making history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Chopra won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in the United States, where Peters won a gold medal. However, an injury prevented him from defending his 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal at the Birmingham edition last year.However, he won the Diamond League Finals in Switzerland when he fully recovered from his injury at the World Championships.“Im constantly wrecked by the warm help I get from Indians worldwide and in Qatar, that is especially exceptional, so Im anticipating opening my 2023 Wanda Precious Stone Association season in Doha close by a gathering of mind-blowing competitors before an energetic group.” The 2023 Diamond League consists of 14 matches that begin on May 5 in Doha at the Qatar Sports Club and end in a single final over two days in Eugene, Oregon, USA (September 16-17).
