India’s Neeraj Chopra in action during the men’s javelin throw. (Reuters)
Paris Olympics silver medalist Neeraj Chopra has qualified for the Diamond League final after finishing in top six. The two-day event will held in Brussels on September 13 and 14.
The top six javelin throwers to get that automatic qualification are Paris Games bronze medalist Anderson Peters, Julian Webber, Jakub Vadlejch, Neeraj Chopra, Andrian Mardare, and Roderick Genki Dean.
With seven points and a second-place finish at the Lausanne leg, Neeraj Chopra is joint third alongside Weber in Diamond League standings with 15 points. Peters jumped to top spot with 21 points. Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, who finished seventh (82.03m) on Thursday, is in second spot with 16 points.
India’s Paris Olympics silver medallist Neeraj Chopra in action. (Reuters)
The 26-year-old threw 89.49m – marginally better than his Paris Olympics best (89.45m) in his final attempt at Lausanne, which was second only to Grenada’s Anderson Peters (90.61m).
What’s next for Neeraj?
Following the Paris Olympics, Chopra had hinted of undergoing a long due surgery to deal with a recurring adductor muscle issue. Even though he didn’t return back to India after the Games and travelled straight to Switzerland, Chopra was asked how much more would he compete in the ongoing season.
“May be two or one competition and then finish the season. I am not sure, may be Brussels (Diamond League finale),” he said.
Neeraj Chopra added that getting back to full fitness is his number one priority for the coming year.
“First goal, go to the doctor and make my groin 100 per cent fit and also I will be technically better and try to throw far again,” he said.
