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Key Points

Neeraj Chopra has decided to skip the Brussels Diamond League event this Friday. He has already secured his spot in the Zurich Diamond League final later this month with 15 points from his previous appearances. The Indian superstar is using this time to rest and prepare for his world title defense in Tokyo next month. Chopra has had an impressive season, including his first-ever 90-meter throw and winning competitions in Paris and Ostrava.

Key Points: Neeraj Chopra Skips Brussels Diamond League to Prepare for Zurich Final

  • Already qualified for Zurich Diamond League final with 15 points from two meets
  • Focusing on defending his World Championship title in Tokyo next month
  • Threw over 90 meters for the first time ever at Doha Diamond League this season
  • Won the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru last month with 86.18m
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Neeraj Chopra to skip Brussels Diamond League

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra will skip the Brussels Diamond League to rest and prepare for the Zurich final and his upcoming world title defense in Tokyo.

"Neeraj can take this time to freshen himself up for his world title defence. - Olympics.com"

New Delhi, August 20

The current javelin throw world champion and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra will skip the Brussels Diamond League, reported the Olympics.com on Wednesday.

The competition will take place in Belgium on Friday. With Neeraj having sealed his spot for the Zurich Diamond League final on August 27-28 with 15 points from his past two Diamond League appearances this season, Neeraj can take this time to freshen himself up for his world title defence.

The men's javelin throw final, which will decide the 2025 Diamond League champion, will be held on August 28. Neeraj is a 2022 Diamond League champion and a runner-up in 2023 and 2024. He is yet to announce his participation for the final in Zurich, though.

Brussels meet would be the fourth and final Diamond League event scheduled for this year, with men's javelin throw category in it. Neeraj has opted to skip this one, just like he opted out of the Silesia Diamond League earlier this month.

Neeraj finished runner-up in the 2024 Diamond League final with his best throw of 87.86 m, losing to Grenada's Anderson Peters by barest of the margins of one centimetre.

The Indian superstar has enjoyed a spectacular start to the 2025 season.

Chopra took the top honours in the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic, a competition named after him at Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru last month. The reigning javelin throw champion stood triumphant with 86.18m.

Neeraj kickstarted with a win at the Potch Invitational in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April and followed it up with a very special second-place finish at Doha Diamond League, where he crossed the 90-metre mark for the first time ever, with a throw of 90.23 m.

He also went on to secure a second spot in the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland later that month and resumed his winning ways with back-to-back titles at Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike this month, with best efforts of 88.16 m and 85.29 m. Most recently came his NC Classic triumph in front of his home crowd.

Neeraj will defend his world title in the World Athletics Championships scheduled for Tokyo from September 13-21. During the previous edition, Neeraj had finished ahead of Nadeem to win the gold, becoming the first-ever Indian to land a gold at the marquee event.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
That 90.23m throw in Doha was absolutely magical! Still gives me goosebumps. Hope he breaks his own record in Tokyo next month 🎯
A
Aditya G
Strategic rest is crucial for elite athletes. Remember how he lost by just 1cm last year? Every bit of recovery matters. Good decision!
S
Sarah B
As a sports physio, I appreciate this approach. The season is long and managing workload is key to preventing injuries. Smart scheduling by his team!
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Vikram M
The fact that he has a competition named after him while still competing shows how much he means to Indian athletics. Legend in the making!
M
Michael C
While I understand the need for rest, skipping multiple Diamond League events might affect his rhythm. Hope this doesn't backfire in Zurich final.
A
Ananya R
His consistency is remarkable! Multiple 85m+ throws this season. Tokyo preparation should be the priority now. Bring home that gold again, champ! 💪

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