Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Diamond League Final in Brussels

India’s javelin sensation, Neeraj Chopra, has secured his spot in the season finale of the prestigious Diamond League, slated to take place on September 13 and 14 in Brussels. The 26-year-old, who already boasts two Olympic medals, qualified after finishing fourth in the overall standings, with 14 points over as many series meetings held worldwide.

Despite battling a groin injury for much of the season, Neeraj’s consistency in the league is commendable. His two second-place finishes in Doha and Lausanne earned him valuable points.

However, his journey to the finale wasn’t without challenges. He chose to skip the last series meet in Zurich due to fitness concerns that have plagued him for a long time.

Neeraj Chopra’s injury, which has hindered his ability to breach the elusive 90m mark, has been a lingering issue. This setback became particularly evident during the Paris Olympics, where Neeraj had to settle for silver with a throw of 88.13m, as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem clinched gold with a staggering 92.97m.

In the Diamond League standings, Anderson Peters leads with 29 points, followed by Germany's Julian Weber with 21 points, and Czechia's Jakub Vadlech with 16 points. Neeraj trails Vadlech by just two points.

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How did Neeraj Chopra perform at the Lausanne Diamond League?

Neeraj Chopra, delivered an impressive performance at the Lausanne Diamond League, securing second place in the javelin throw competition. The 26-year-old Indian athlete posted a season-best distance of 89.49m.

Initially, Neeraj found himself in fourth position through the first four rounds of the competition. However, on his fifth attempt, he improved his mark to 85.58m, climbing the rankings. But it was his final throw that truly shone, with Chopra launching the javelin to 89.49m in the sixth and final round.

The event’s top spot went to Anderson Peters from Grenada, a two-time world champion and bronze medallist in the Paris Olympics. Peters claimed victory with an outstanding throw of 90.61m during his second attempt. Meanwhile, Germany’s Julian Weber rounded off the podium in third place with a best effort of 87.08m.