Diamond-class field on Neeraj's return

All eyes on Olympic champ as he makes a comeback after groin strain; world’s top throwers part of Lausanne event

- Indraneel Das

IT'S not easy to make a comeback from injuries, even if it is just a niggle or a muscle strain like Neeraj Chopra's. The Olympic champion had to pull out of the FBK Games due to a groin strain in May after the Doha Diamond League. Fortunately, rehabilitation was smooth and he recovered in time for the Lausanne Diamond League on Friday. In between training, rehabilitation and now competing, he ascended the world-ranking throne for the first time in May. Another athlete who is looking forward to this event is M Sreeshankar, who has the second-best jump in the world this season.

All eyes, however, will be more on Neeraj and his fitness. Now as the world's No 1 javelin thrower among men, Neeraj, who topped the chart at Doha DL, will be looking to do an encore at Lausanne. Going by his coach Klaus Bartonietz, he is hundred per cent fit and raring to go. His team – coach and physio Ishaan Marwaha – reached Lausanne on Wednesday and are looking forward to the meet. Not because he is coming back from injury but because it has some of the top names in javelin.