The former Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra marked his return to competitive action at the Doha Diamond League 2026 at the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium – a venue which witnessed Neeraj breaking the elusive 90m in the previous season.
Competing for the first time since the injury-hit 2025 World Championships, Neeraj produced a best throw of 85.69m, finishing a creditable fourth. Despite missing out on podium, the 28-year-old showed encouraging signs of progress in a highly stacked javelin field.
The biggest question surrounding him was whether he could surpass the qualification mark on his return from a lengthy injury layoff, after he was provisionally included in India’s Commonwealth Games subject to his performance in Doha.
The Indian stalwart needed just one valid throw to silence the doubts and comfortably clear the Athletics Federation of India’s Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 82.61m and seal his place in the squad for Glasgow.
The 28-year-old began the proceedings with a foul but regathered himself soon, hurling 82.77m in his second attempt before unleashing his best effort of the night, 85.69m, in the third round.
His fourth attempt measured 84.45m and was followed by a foul in the fifth round and ended up just 30 cm short of the podium. However, the result was far from disappointing. Neeraj became the first Indian this season to go past the 85m barrier and also became second best Asian javelin thrower of 2026. More importantly, the opening meet sets a strong base for the remainder of the season, including the defence of his title at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
Srilanka’s breakout star and World leader Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, carrying his sublime form, won the Doha Diamond League title with a massive 88.62m throw. It was his second Diamond League triumph after his triumph at the Rome Diamond League earlier this month with a record breaking throw of 92.62m.
“He is amazing, he is a nice guy and a good friend of mine. I’m happy for him,” said Neeraj while praising the young Sri Lankan ahead of Doha DL.
Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed second place with 86.38m, while USA’s Curtis Thompson finished third with 85.99m. Reigning World Champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago endured a disappointing night, finishing seventh with a best throw of 81.47m.
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