Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games despite a disastrous start at the Doha Diamond League on Thursday. The Olympic gold medalist finished second with a best throw of 85.32 meters, achieving the qualification mark of 83.00 meters set by the Commonwealth Games Federation.
Disastrous Start Overcome
Chopra began the competition with a foul throw, which put him under pressure. However, he recovered in his second attempt with a throw of 83.45 meters, surpassing the qualification standard. His final throw of 85.32 meters secured second place behind Grenada's Anderson Peters, who won with 87.23 meters.
The 28-year-old Indian star expressed relief after the event. "It was not my best performance, but I am happy to have qualified for the Commonwealth Games. The start was tough, but I managed to focus and execute my throws well," Chopra said in a post-event interview.
Road to Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 2, 2026. Chopra is the defending champion, having won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a throw of 88.16 meters. He will now prepare for the World Championships later this year.
- Chopra's best throw of the season remains 88.67 meters, set earlier in March.
- He has now qualified for both the Commonwealth Games and the World Championships.
- Anderson Peters, the 2022 world champion, has emerged as Chopra's main rival.
The Doha Diamond League was Chopra's first competition since recovering from a minor injury. His performance has boosted confidence ahead of the upcoming events.
