India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured his place at the upcoming Commonwealth Games after surpassing the qualification mark at the Doha Diamond League in his first competition of the 2026 season. Chopra registered a throw of 82.77m with his second attempt, comfortably clearing the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 82.61m. The effort moved him into third place at that stage of the competition and ensured his eligibility for selection for the multi-sport event.&nbsp;Making his season debut in Doha, Chopra eventually finished fourth. He began with a foul before responding with an 82.77m throw in his second attempt. His best effort came on his third throw, measuring 85.69m. He followed it up with an 83.45m throw in the fourth round, fouled in the fifth, and was unable to advance to the final round after missing out on a top-three finish.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/how-a-missed-flight-made-folarin-balogun-a-us-citizen-and-team-usa-fifa-world-cup-star-1781884416937">How a missed flight made Folarin Balogun a US citizen and team USA FIFA World Cup star</a>&nbsp;Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage won the event with a best throw of 88.68m. Anderson Peters of Grenada finished second with 86.38m, while American thrower Curtis Thompson claimed third place with 85.99m. The rescheduling of the Doha Diamond League due to the US-Iran conflict proved beneficial for Chopra, allowing him to begin his season at one of his preferred venues.“I had asked the organizers if it was fine to confirm my entry close to the tournament and they were fine with it,” said Neeraj.&nbsp;The venue also holds special memories for the Indian star. It was here that he crossed the coveted 90m mark last year, only to be overtaken by Germany’s Julian Weber, who produced a throw of 91m. “Yes, I have that memory of the 90m mark throw. That is why it is one of my favourite venues. Although, Julian Weber immediately threw bigger than me that night,” Neeraj said on the eve of the Doha Diamond League.

Neeraj Chopra qualifies for the 2026 Commonwealth Games after an 82.77m throw at the Doha Diamond League. The Olympic champion finished fourth in his season opener with a best effort of 85.69m

India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured his place at the upcoming Commonwealth Games after surpassing the qualification mark at the Doha Diamond League in his first competition of the 2026 season. Chopra registered a throw of 82.77m with his second attempt, comfortably clearing the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 82.61m. The effort moved him into third place at that stage of the competition and ensured his eligibility for selection for the multi-sport event. Making his season debut in Doha, Chopra eventually finished fourth. He began with a foul before responding with an 82.77m throw in his second attempt. His best effort came on his third throw, measuring 85.69m. He followed it up with an 83.45m throw in the fourth round, fouled in the fifth, and was unable to advance to the final round after missing out on a top-three finish. Also Read: How a missed flight made Folarin Balogun a US citizen and team USA FIFA World Cup star Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage won the event with a best throw of 88.68m. Anderson Peters of Grenada finished second with 86.38m, while American thrower Curtis Thompson claimed third place with 85.99m. The rescheduling of the Doha Diamond League due to the US-Iran conflict proved beneficial for Chopra, allowing him to begin his season at one of his preferred venues. “I had asked the organizers if it was fine to confirm my entry close to the tournament and they were fine with it,” said Neeraj. The venue also holds special memories for the Indian star. It was here that he crossed the coveted 90m mark last year, only to be overtaken by Germany’s Julian Weber, who produced a throw of 91m. “Yes, I have that memory of the 90m mark throw. That is why it is one of my favourite venues. Although, Julian Weber immediately threw bigger than me that night,” Neeraj said on the eve of the Doha Diamond League.

Neeraj Chopra qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games with an 82.77m throw at Doha Diamond League, finishing fourth on his season return

Neeraj Chopra qualifies for 2026 Commonwealth Games; finishes fourth at Doha Diamond League

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra is set to return to competitive action at the Doha Diamond League on Jun 19, ending a nearly nine-month injury layoff. The comeback will also reduce concerns over his long-term fitness. The 28-year-old has not competed since the World Athletics Championships in September last year, where he placed eighth after having a back injury and this issue forced him to miss several competitions over the following months and raised doubts about his participation in Doha.&nbsp;The announcement comes shortly after Chopra was conditionally included in India’s athletics squad for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Jul and Aug. His selection, however, depends on meeting the qualifying mark of 82.61m set by the Athletics Federation of India.&nbsp;Speaking during a virtual media interaction on Sunday, AFI President Adille Sumariwalla said Chopra had requested the opportunity to compete in a couple of events before the Commonwealth Games and would be considered for selection if he achieved the required standard.&nbsp;“Neeraj has requested that he participate in a couple of competitions before the Commonwealth Games. If he achieves his qualifying standard, he has also requested to be selected. Neeraj would participate in a couple of international meets before the Commonwealth Games,"&nbsp;AFI President Adille Sumariwalla said.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-2026-day-5-live-streaming-when-and-where-to-watch-matches-in-india-1781512157574">FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 5 live streaming: When and where to watch matches in India?</a>&nbsp;The 28-year-old is currently attending a 47-day off-season training camp in Bienne, working alongside his long-time physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha and coach Jai Choudhary.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-world-cup-argentina-uruguay-argued-over-using-own-football-in-1930-final-and-eventually-both-were-used-1781510241771">FIFA World Cup | Argentina, Uruguay used own football in 1930 final</a>&nbsp;Doha holds special significance for Chopra. At the same venue last year, he produced a landmark performance by becoming the first Indian to cross the 90m mark in men’s javelin, setting a national record of 90.23m.&nbsp;The 2026 Doha Diamond League is expected to feature a strong field led by world leader Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage of Sri Lanka, who recently threw a national-record 92.62m in Rome. Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott, former world champion Anderson Peters, American Curtis Thompson, Kenya's Julius Yego, and Czech thrower Jakub Vadlejch are also set to compete.

The javelin star has not competed since a disappointing showing at the 2025 World Championships and has since been recovering from a back injury.

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra is set to return to competitive action at the Doha Diamond League on Jun 19, ending a nearly nine-month injury layoff. The comeback will also reduce concerns over his long-term fitness. The 28-year-old has not competed since the World Athletics Championships in September last year, where he placed eighth after having a back injury and this issue forced him to miss several competitions over the following months and raised doubts about his participation in Doha. The announcement comes shortly after Chopra was conditionally included in India’s athletics squad for the Commonwealth Games, scheduled for Jul and Aug. His selection, however, depends on meeting the qualifying mark of 82.61m set by the Athletics Federation of India. Speaking during a virtual media interaction on Sunday, AFI President Adille Sumariwalla said Chopra had requested the opportunity to compete in a couple of events before the Commonwealth Games and would be considered for selection if he achieved the required standard. “Neeraj has requested that he participate in a couple of competitions before the Commonwealth Games. If he achieves his qualifying standard, he has also requested to be selected. Neeraj would participate in a couple of international meets before the Commonwealth Games," AFI President Adille Sumariwalla said. Also Read - FIFA World Cup 2026 Day 5 live streaming: When and where to watch matches in India? The 28-year-old is currently attending a 47-day off-season training camp in Bienne, working alongside his long-time physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha and coach Jai Choudhary. Also Read - FIFA World Cup | Argentina, Uruguay used own football in 1930 final Doha holds special significance for Chopra. At the same venue last year, he produced a landmark performance by becoming the first Indian to cross the 90m mark in men’s javelin, setting a national record of 90.23m. The 2026 Doha Diamond League is expected to feature a strong field led by world leader Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage of Sri Lanka, who recently threw a national-record 92.62m in Rome. Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott, former world champion Anderson Peters, American Curtis Thompson, Kenya's Julius Yego, and Czech thrower Jakub Vadlejch are also set to compete.

The javelin star has not competed since a disappointing showing at the 2025 World Championships and has since been recovering from a back injury.

Neeraj Chopra back in action; to compete at Doha Diamond League 2026

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Neeraj Chopra qualifies for 2026 Commonwealth Games; finishes fourth at Doha Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra back in action; to compete at Doha Diamond League 2026