Buoyed by a strong start to the season, Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is primed to clinch his maiden Diamond League podium finish in his first appearance in four years in the prestigious one-day meet on Thursday (June 30). The 24-year-old Chopra was second in the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku with a big national record throw of 89.30m before winning his event at Kuortane Games with a creditable 86.60m effort under treacherous conditions.
Both the events in Finland had strong fields, though the Turku line-up had more stars than at Kuortane, where Chopra slipped after an awkward release of his spear in his third attempt under slippery conditions due to rains. Luckily, he was up on his feet immediately and won the event without any injury.
“We started training in December, so it was a bit late. I needed to get fit again as my weight had also increased after the Tokyo Games,” Chopra said during a pre-event press conference. “I had gained 13kg-14kg, so the plan was to get fit again and hence we started the season a bit late.
STOCKHOLM DIAMOND LEAGUE
— SPORTS ARENA (@SportsArena1234) June 29, 2022
Fresh off his triumph at Kuortane Games, 'Golden Boy' Neeraj Chopra returns to his first DL since 2018!
Oly Vadlejch & Vesely, WL Peters, Paavo Nurmi Helander & Weber form the star studded field!
A mouth watering battle awaits
10.50pm, Voot pic.twitter.com/BvWmcACdIP
“Our main target this year are the World Championship and Commonwealth Games as the Asian Games has been postponed,” he added.
This will be Chopra’s first competition in a Diamond League meet after his fourth-place finish in Zurich in August 2018 with an effort of 85.73m. He has taken part in seven Diamond League meets – three in 2017 and four in 2018 – but is yet to win a medal. He had two fourth-place finishes, the other one being in Doha in May 2018, where he had thrown 87.43m.
The prestigious one-day meet at the Swedish capital will be Chopra's biggest event ahead of the World Championships in Eugene, USA, next month. He will also be facing the toughest field of the season so far with all the three Tokyo Olympics medallists in fray.
Match Details
Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at Stockholm Diamond League 2022 will take place on Thursday (June 30).
Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at Stockholm Diamond League 2022 will take place at BAUHAUS-Galan in Stockholm, Sweden.
Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at Stockholm Diamond League 2022 will start at 10.50 PM IST.
Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at Stockholm Diamond League 2022 will be LIVE on Sports18 1 SD & HD channel.
Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw event at Stockholm Diamond League 2022 will be streamed live on Voot website and app. Follow LIVE updates here.
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