Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is set to return to competitive athletics at the Doha Diamond League on June 19, marking his first appearance of the 2026 season. The event will be held in Doha, where Chopra has previously delivered some of his most notable performances on the international stage.
The 28-year-old Olympic medallist has been away from competition so far this season due to a back injury. He has been undergoing rehabilitation and recovery in recent months, which kept him out of earlier meets. His return is being closely watched, as it will provide an early indication of his form ahead of a busy international calendar.
Chopra’s comeback was officially announced by his management firm, Vel Sports, through a social media post stating: “First throw of 2026 lands in Doha! Neeraj Chopra returns to competitive action on June 19.” His inclusion in the Doha event came as a late addition, with his name not appearing in the entry list released by organisers on June 12.
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Doha holds special significance in Chopra’s career. In May last year at the same venue, he became part of the elite group of javelin throwers by crossing the 90m mark for the first time, recording a throw of 90.23m. Despite that milestone, he finished second behind Germany’s Julian Weber, who registered a winning throw of 91.06m in a high-quality contest.
In addition to his return to competition, Chopra was recently named in India’s athletics squad for the upcoming Commonwealth Games. However, his participation will depend on him meeting the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) qualifying standard of 82.61m, adding further importance to his upcoming performance in Doha.
The Doha Diamond League itself was originally scheduled as the season opener on May 8 but was postponed due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. Its rescheduling has made it one of the key early fixtures of the 2026 athletics season, with Chopra’s return further raising anticipation around the event.
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