(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Neeraj Chopra Finishes Fourth at Doha Diamond League, Secures Commonwealth Games Qualification
India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra returned to international competition with a fourth-place finish at the 2026 Doha Diamond League, recording a best throw of 85.69 metres.
Competing for the first time since recovering from a back injury, Chopra opened with a no-mark but quickly found rhythm, producing consistent throws over the qualification mark. His best attempt came in the third round with 85.69m, while his 82.77m effort early in the competition ensured he comfortably met the Commonwealth Games qualification standard.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga won the event with a throw of 88.68m, continuing his strong form this season. Former world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada took second place with 86.38m, while USA’s Curtis Thompson finished third with 85.99m, narrowly ahead of Chopra.
Despite the strong field, Chopra showed steady improvement throughout the competition, registering three legal throws above the qualification requirement.
The Doha Diamond League has historically been a successful venue for the Indian athlete, where he has previously recorded strong performances, including a national record throw in past editions.
With this result, Chopra moves closer to full confirmation for the 2026 Commonwealth Games squad after meeting the required qualification standard.
