Javelin spectacle set to unfold at Diamond League's 2nd leg

With Neeraj Chopra among five 90m-plus throwers, a thrilling contest is on cards

- Avishek Roy

NEW DELHI: When five of the eight javelin throwers in the field have personal bests beyond 90 metres, you can't help but wait in anticipation for the high-octane action to unfold. The Paris Diamond League on Friday promises a javelin spectacle unseen in recent years.

Of the five 90m-plus javelin throwers competing in Paris, two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra and Germany's Julian Weber stormed into the elite club only this season at the Doha leg of Diamond League. The two were involved in an exciting contest with Chopra first nailing his maiden 90m mark before Weber toppled him with his own personal best (91.06m).

A week later they met in Chorzow in Poland, where Chopra again finished second (84.14m) to Weber (86.12m). The season is fast turning out to be an exciting duel between the two latest entrants into the 90m club.

Though the two will be favourites in Paris, the rest of the field can no way be taken lightly. Not when the biggest throw belongs to two-time world champion and Paris bronze medallist Anderson Peters (93.07m).