India’s star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has secured his spot in the Diamond League season finale, a testament to his resilience despite facing a series of injury setbacks this year. The two-time Olympic medalist, who placed fourth overall in the Diamond League standings after 14 series meetings, will be competing for the coveted Diamond Trophy in Brussels on September 13 and 14.
Chopra amassed 14 points through his two second-place finishes in Lausanne and Doha, proving his consistent performance despite his physical challenges. He missed the final series meeting in Zurich due to his ongoing groin problem, which he has been battling since before the Tokyo Olympics. This injury has prevented him from reaching his full potential this season, including breaking the 90-meter mark.
Despite his struggles, Chopra remains determined to compete at the highest level. He plans to prioritize his recovery and improve his technical skills to regain his peak form. In the Lausanne Diamond Leg, he finished second to Anderson Peters, who achieved a throw of 90.61 meters. Chopra’s recent success comes after a notable performance in the Paris Olympics last month, where he won a silver medal.
The Diamond League finale will be a significant event for Chopra, as the winner takes home a coveted ‘Diamond Trophy’, USD 30,000 in prize money, and a wild card entry into the World Athletics Championships. While Chopra finished second behind Jakub Vadlejch in the winner-take-all finale in Eugene, USA, last year, he has proven his determination and talent on the world stage. His season will conclude with the Diamond League finale, where he will be aiming to make a strong statement despite the challenges he has faced.