Indian javelin hero Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Diamond League Final 2024 in Brussels

Two-time Olympic medalist in javelin throw, Neeraj Chopra of India, has qualified for the Diamond League Final 2024 in Brussels, Belgium, on September 13 and 14. Despite missing the final leg in Zurich (on Thursday), Neeraj finished in fourth place with 14 points.

The top six javelin throwers directly qualifying for the DL Final are Anderson Peters, Julian Webber, Jakub Vadlejch, Neeraj Chopra, Andrian Mardare, and Roderick Genki Dean. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who won his maiden Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games 2024, did not participate in the remaining legs after the Summer Games. No official word is out as to why he remained absent.

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Meanwhile, with seven points and a second-place finish during the Lausanne leg, Neeraj attained 14 points and placed fourth in the rankings ahead of the final. While Granada’s Anderson Peters, who won bronze in Paris, is topping the chart with 29 points from four events, Germany’s Julian Weber is second with 21 points, and Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch is third with 16 points.

During his last outing in Lausanne, India’s Neeraj Chopra threw 89.49m, bettering his Paris Olympic record (89.45m) by just a whisker. Despite that, he stood second as Anderson Peters registered a monster throw of 90.61m.

What is next for Neeraj?

Neeraj admitted to struggling with his groin injury even while competing in Paris and hinted at undergoing surgery sooner. Though he was expected to miss the remaining DL events after the Summer Games for the same reason, Neeraj decided against going for it immediately and instead participated in the competition.

"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," Neeraj said in August about his plans for this year and the coming one.

Meanwhile, after winning his maiden gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, Neeraj came agonisingly close to retaining his crown this time; however, his long-time on-field foe and friend off the field, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, won the gold with a World Record (WR) throw of 92.97m in Paris.

However, if Neeraj wins gold in Brussels, he will be awarded a prestigious "Diamond Trophy", $30,000 prize money, and a wild card for the World Athletics Championships.

(With inputs from agencies)