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Neeraj Chopra Optimistic After Strong Comeback at Doha Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra, the celebrated javelin thrower, made a notable return at the Doha Diamond League, finishing fourth with a throw of 85.69 meters. Despite a nine-month injury layoff, he expressed optimism about refining his technique for future competitions, including the Commonwealth and Asian Games. His performance marks a promising start to the season, following a remarkable previous year where he achieved multiple victories. Chopra's journey reflects resilience and determination as he aims for even better results ahead.
By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 21, 2026, 00:14 IST

Neeraj Chopra's Comeback Performance

Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic medalist and former world champion in javelin throw, expressed his satisfaction with his recent performance at the Doha Diamond League, despite finishing fourth. After a lengthy injury layoff, he achieved a commendable throw of 85.69 meters, marking a positive return to competition. Chopra conveyed his optimism about improving his technique for better results later this year.

At the inaugural Athletics Federation of India (AFI) awards held in New Delhi, Neeraj was honored as the 'Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025'. His last competitive outing before Doha was at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo last September, where he struggled to defend his title, finishing eighth with a throw of 84.03 meters, falling short to Sachin Yadav who placed fourth.



Despite not securing a podium finish, Neeraj expressed his contentment with surpassing the 85-meter mark after a long hiatus due to injuries. He remarked, "It's great to return with a solid throw. Realistically, maintaining peak performance is challenging, but I'm pleased to have achieved over 85 meters in my first competition back."

Neeraj disclosed that his participation in the Doha Diamond League was confirmed only a week prior to the event, and he was initially not listed among the competitors. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, "It went well, and this is just the beginning. Upcoming competitions include the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and more Diamond Leagues. I aim to refine my technique further for improved results."


Aside from the Tokyo disappointment, Neeraj had an outstanding season last year. He triumphed in the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru, achieving a throw of 86.18 meters. He began the season with a victory at the Potch Invitational in South Africa and followed it with a remarkable second-place finish at the Doha Diamond League, where he threw 90.23 meters for the first time.

Neeraj also secured second place at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland and continued his winning streak with titles at the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike, with throws of 88.16 meters and 85.29 meters, respectively. His impressive run culminated in a second-place finish at the Diamond League final in Zurich, where he recorded a throw of 85.01 meters.