Neeraj Chopra is close to confirming a medal at the World Championships in Eugene next month. The star javelin thrower is making anticipation for a medal as he started his season with full enthusiasm and determination.
The Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is primed to clinch his maiden Diamond League medal in his first appearance in four years in the prestigious one-day meet here on Thursday. After finishing second in his event at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku with a huge national record throw of 89.30 meters, the 24-year-old Chopra went on to win it in the Kuortane Games with a decent throw of 86.60 meters under treacherous conditions.
Both events in Finland had strong fields, however, the Turku Line-up had more stars than at Kuortane, where Chopra slipped during his third attempt due to slippery conditions by rain. Fortunately, he returned to his feet straight away and won the competition without sustaining any injuries.
What Neeraj Chopra will get with this Championship?
If the first Indian track and field athlete to win gold at the Olympics achieve this feat as a World Champion, it will mark the pinnacle of his career and the first time any male has held both the titles simultaneously since Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen way back in 2009. Thorkildsen followed in the footsteps of the renowned Czech athlete Jan “elezn,” a three-time Olympic champion who completed the double by winning gold at the World Championships in 2001 after capturing the Summer Games title the previous year.
Men’s javelin is included in four of the 12 Diamond League venues, and the final is held in Zurich. The athlete with the highest points at the end of the cycle receives a diamond trophy and $40,000 in prize money. But above all, the Diamond League Champion gets boasting rights of being the most consistent athlete.
Thrower’s Previous Achievements in the Diamond League
Chopra will be making his Diamond League debut after placing fourth with an effort of 85.73m in Zurich in August 2018. He has taken part in seven Diamond League meets – three in 2017 and four in 2018 – but he hasn’t yet taken home a medal. He ranked 4th twice, the other one being in Doha in May 2018, where he had thrown 87.43m.
A maiden victory in his first Diamond League event in four years will be a perfect prep up for the World Athletics Championships in Eugene next month.
