Neeraj Chopra returns to action after 275 days to start the Diamond League season in Doha

Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra is set to return to the javelin scene after spending almost a year away from professional competition. Neeraj, who is recovering from a back injury, is expected to make his comeback at the Doha 2026 Diamond League on June 19.

Neeraj last raced at the 2025 World Championships in Japan where he failed to reach the podium. Neeraj was eliminated early in the final after finishing with a throw of 84.93m, the eighth best performance in the 12-member field. Neeraj later revealed that he was struggling with a back injury that he sustained just before the day of the finals.

Between September 2025 and June 2026, Neeraj parted ways with his trainer, the legendary Jan Železny, and took control of his own training. Neeraj also ended his association with JSW Sports, who had been guiding him as a client since the very beginning of his javelin journey.

Neeraj returns to professional competition after being provisionally named in India’s Commonwealth Games squad. Athletics Federation of India spokesperson Adille Sumariwala said that Neeraj will be confirmed in India’s CWG team only if he is able to participate in several competitions and breaks the qualification mark before the event.

NEERAJ COMES BACK IN THE 90M ARENA

The Doha Diamond League holds a special place in the hearts of javelin throwers as it has a history of producing remarkable throws. Last year, Neeraj broke the 90 meter mark for the first time and for the first time in his career.

Apart from Neeraj, World No. 2 Anderson Peters and World No. 3 Rumesh Pathirage are set to be big attractions in the men’s javelin event. World leader Julian Weber and reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem will not take part in the event.

The competition is scheduled for June 19, with the men’s javelin starting at 11:14 p.m.

DOHA DIAMOND LEAGUE STARTING LIST

1. Neeraj Chopra (India)

2. Artur Felfner (Ukraine)

3. Ahmed Sameh Mohamed Hussein (Egypt)

4. Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka)

5. Anderson Peters (Grenada)

6. Curtis Thompson (USA)

7. Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic)

8. Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago)

9. Julius Yego (Kenya)

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

15 Jun 2026 16:30 IST