Neeraj to star in a world javelin event in India

India's two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra will be the star attraction in a marquee international javelin tournament at home later this year, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) said on Tuesday.

- HT Correspondent

NEW DELHI:

Chopra has emerged as a global track and field star on the back of his stupendous international success that includes back-to-back medals at the Olympics and World Championships.

After his historic gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Chopra won a silver (2022, Eugene) and a gold (2023, Budapest) at the World Championships before pocketing an Olympic silver in Paris last year. Besides, he has had a dominating run in Diamond League with successive podium finishes in the last three years. He won the title in Zurich in 2022 and returned with silver in 2023 Eugene and 2024 Brussels.

However, Chopra has competed only once at home in the intervening period. In May last year, he appeared in Fed Cup in Bhubaneswar which he won with a throw of 82.27m. Since the Tokyo high, Chopra has been training overseas and competing in internationals.

The AFI is therefore planning an international event at home to cash in on his global popularity to give the sport a push in India.