After nine months of rehabilitation and self-reflection, India's javelin icon Neeraj Chopra is finally ready to throw again.The Indian superstar returns to competition at the Doha Diamond League at Qatar Sports Club today, making his 2026 season debut after a lengthy injury layoff that forced him to rethink not only his body but also his approach to the sport.For Chopra, Doha is more than just another stop on the Diamond League circuit. It is the venue where he finally conquered the elusive 90-metre barrier last year with a throw of 90.23m, a milestone that had long defined his career. Yet even that unforgettable night carried mixed emotions as Germany's Julian Weber produced an even bigger throw moments later to snatch victory.Now, the 28-year-old returns to the same stage hoping to launch a fresh chapter after admitting that competing at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo while injured was a mistake."I had some injury last year before the Tokyo World Championships and we worked a lot, but I competed in Tokyo. I don't think it was a good decision because I already knew that I had some problems," Chopra said ahead of Friday's meeting.The consequences were severe. What began as a back injury turned into months of recovery, with fresh issues emerging in his ankle and shoulder. "In our life as athletes, there is one injury, we try to fix that injury, and then we hit another one. Then I had an issue in my ankle, then somewhere in the shoulder. Together with my team and physio, we worked on every part," Chopra sad.The extended absence meant Chopra delayed his return until he was completely satisfied with his fitness, confirming his participation in Doha only after his final training session."We started throwing one-and-a-half months ago and took our time. I talked to organisers in Doha and asked if I could confirm very late. After my last session, we decided to come here. It is always my preference to open my season in Doha," he said.His affection for the Qatari capital is understandable. Beyond the memories of his first 90-metre throw, Doha has consistently produced some of the biggest javelin marks in history. Curiously, Chopra believes his landmark throw still had room for improvement."Technically it was not that good. It was really fast from the arm, but if I could do better with the lower body then maybe two or three metres more," he said.Instead, the two-time Olympic medalist says he prefers watching his qualification-round throws from major championships because they reflect his natural rhythm. "When I compete in finals, I always try really hard and become very aggressive. Then I forget my technique. I really like my qualification throws because they are technically better," the affable Chopra said.That emphasis on returning to his natural technique has also shaped a major coaching change. After parting ways with Czech legend Jan Zelezny in January, having previously worked with biomechanics expert Dr Klaus Bartonietz, Chopra has reunited with his long-time mentor Jaiveer Chaudhary, who guided him during his formative years."He knows my story from the last 15 or 16 years. He was my senior, when I started my career. Now we are working on my technique as it originally was when I started. We are not working on anything very specific or very deep. I have a good team and I feel very good," he revealed.While Chopra is making his season debut, he faces one of the strongest fields assembled this year. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage arrives as the world's in-form thrower after producing a world-leading 92.62m in Rome, while world champion Keshorn Walcott, former world champion Anderson Peters, Curtis Thompson, Jakub Vadlejch and Julius Yego add further quality to an event that has become one of Doha's signature attractions.Chopra welcomed the emergence of Pathirage. "I'm happy for Rumesh. He is a good thrower and it is good to see someone from Sri Lanka throwing that well," he said.With no World Championships or Olympics this season, Chopra said his focus is firmly on building momentum towards the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games later this year. “I feel really good and fit. Let’s see how I do tomorrow,” he said.
Friday, July 31, 2026
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Daily Newspaper published by GPPC Doha, Qatar.
