Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to miss the Doha Diamond League, to be held on June 19, as he is still recuperating from a back injury in Switzerland.
Indian javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra would hope that his lengthy injury-forced absence from competition does not affect his rhythm when he returns to action against an in-form line-up of heavyweight rivals in the familiar environs of the Doha Diamond League on Friday.
the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 is set to showcase a world-class line-up of elite javelin throwers from across the globe -- Thomas Rohler (Germany), Julius Yego (Kenya), Curtis Thompson (USA) Martin Konecny (Czech Republic), Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (Brazil), Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka), Cyprian Mrzygod (Poland).
Ahead of the Neeraj Chopra (NC) Classic in Bengaluru, two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra expressed his emotions for the tournament where he said that the national flag has to fly higher on its own soil.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic is a World Athletics Gold category event featuring former world champions Anderson Peters and Julius Yego, 2016 Olympic winner Thomas Roehler and American Curtis Thompson among others.
Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra shared a touching moment with an elderly fan during a quiet stroll in Bengaluru.
Chopra qualified for this year's DL Final in fourth place after competing in two of the four qualifying legs.
Neeraj-led four Indians to compete in Doha Diamond League on May 16
Neeraj Chopra's much-anticipated showdown with Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem at the Diamond League Meeting in Silesia, Poland, on August 16 will not take place
Neeraj Chopra made it look effortless as he sealed his spot at the World Athletics Championships with a stunning first throw in Tokyo on Wednesday.
Peters has had a long rivalry with Chopra
Double Olympic-medallist Neeraj Chopra showed his generous and compassionate side, surprising a fan with an all-expense paid trip to watch the Neeraj Chopra Classic, to be held in Bengaluru next week.
With seven points from Thursday's second-place finish at the Lausanne Diamond League, Neeraj Chopra is joint third alongside Julian Weber in Diamond League standings with 15 points.
Neeraj Chopra to compete in event in Poland on May 23
The star-studded 12-man event, to be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, will feature seven of the best javelin throwers in the world and five Indians, including Chopra.
On June 6, Poland's Martin Konecny had replaced Asian Games bronze medallist Genki Dean of Japan as the organisers confirmed the 12-man entry list for the rescheduled event.
Arshad Nadeem declines Neeraj Chopra's invite to compete in NC Classic javelin event
Ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, widely admired for his humility and poise, on Saturday acknowledged the greatness of India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who he believes can be a javelin throw star.
'I didn't expect such a crowd and support in the first season.'
Neeraj Chopra is set to face Nadeem for the first time after the 2024 Paris Olympics, giving him a chance to avenge his second-place finish in the French capital.
Neeraj Chopra would now be eyeing a top finish when he goes up against familiar rivals in the prestigious Paris Diamond League
The country also mounted bids on some high-profile continental and global events, including the 2031 World Athletics Championships with Ahmedabad as the proposed venue.
Neeraj Chopra Classic: Double Olympic medallist hopes to spark javelin revolution in India
'I wanted to state that this event will be an annual affair. As of now, it will be just a men's javelin event. But in future, I am hoping other events will also be added.'
Indian trio of Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, Sahil Silwal named for NC Classic
The maiden edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event will be teeming with stars as the likes of Anderson Peters of Grenada and Thomas Rohler of Germany are taking part.
eeraj Chopra endured a nightmarish outing at the World Championships' men's javelin throw finals to end a disappointing eighth at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
National record-holders Gulveer Singh and Parul Chaudhary are also competing in the men's 5000m and women's 3000m steeplechase events respectively, making this the country maximum representation ever in a DL event.
'In Doha, the 90m throw was really good, but technically I don't want to say that was perfect.'
If the two-time Olympic medallist Indian wins gold on September 18, the day of the finals, he will become the third men ever to win the world championships javelin title in two consecutive editions.
For Neeraj Chopra, the inaugural edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic is more than achieving success on the field, it's giving the Indian fans a chance to watch top-class competition in person, something that will help raise the profile of the sport in the country.
Sachin Yadav, who will be competing in his first international competition in the Asian Championships, is considered the next big thing in men's javelin after Neeraj Chopra.
India's Neeraj Chopra explains why he lost to Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem in the Olympics men's Javelin Throw final.
Neeraj Chopra's event granted category A status by World Athletics.
Neeraj Chopra hoped to compete with other prominent international names in India
Defending champion Neeraj Chopra signed off with a silver medal in the Olympics men's Javelin Throw in Paris on Thursday. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem was a class above the field, setting a new Games record of 92.97 metres for the gold medal.
Defending champion Neeraj Chopra turned on the style as he stormed into the men's Javelin Throw final of the Olympic Games with a season's best effort of 89.34m in his very first attempt in the qualification round in Paris on Tuesday.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will begin the season at the Doha Diamond League.
The list of Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's admirers has grown with reigning World champion Johannes Vetter predicting a bright future for the Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra faces the likes of reigning World champion Anderson Peters of Grenada and Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic in a star-studded field in Doha.
