Neeraj Chopra to begin Diamond League title defence in Doha: When and where to watch men’s javelin event live
Neeraj Chopra will begin competitive action in the pre-Olympic year at the Doha Diamond League, the first of the annual series of top-tier track and field events in 2023 on Friday, May 5.
Neeraj headlines a star-studded men’s javelin field which also has the likes of Olympic champion Anderson Peters and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic.
The Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha is known for those big 90-plus throws. Anderson Peters, who piped Neeraj Chopra, to win the World Championships Gold in 2022 had achieved his personal best of 93.08m, the fifth-best throw ever in Doha Diamond League last year. Germany’s Thomas Rohler achieved a stunning 93.90m at the very venue in 2017, which is also the meeting record.
Jakub Vadlejch had also registered his personal best of 90.88 at the very same event last year. However, Neeraj Chopra missed the event last year due to fitness concerns. In fact, Friday will be the first time since 2018 he would be competing in the Doha Diamond League, the season opener.
“Doha is famous for 90m throws and hopefully tomorrow will be a great result for all,” Neeraj Chopra said on the eve of the Doha Diamond League, acknowledging the greatness of the event and the venue.
Neeraj will be in action for the first time since his Diamond Trophy victory in Zurich. The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win the Diamond Trophy, the title in the final of the Diamond League events, with an 87.44m throw.
Neeraj will be hoping to defend his Diamond Trophy and lay down an early marker ahead of the Paris Olympics. But it’s not going to be easy for the Indian javelin star.
Apart from Vadlejch and Peters, former Olympic medalists like Julian Weber, Keshorn Walcott and Julius Yego will also be in action in the 10-man field.
DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE – MEN’S JAVELIN START LIST
Neeraj Chopra has made his intentions clear before the start of the new season, saying he is feeling better in terms of fitness and strength and he would be keen on breaching the 90m barrier.
”Last year, I was just 6cm short of 90m. I hope to do it this year but I will not put any pressure on myself. It’s a magical mark and 90m club is famous in world of javelin. I hope to enter it this year,” Chopra said last month.
WHEN WILL MEN’S JAVELIN AT DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE BE HELD?
The men’s javelin event at Doha Diamond League will get underway from 7:44 pm local time and 10:14 pm IST.
WHERE CAN I WATCH DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE LIVE?
Jio Cinema will provide live streaming of the men’s javelin event at Doha Diamond League.
Sports 18 and Sports 18 HD will provide TV telecast of the event.