Neeraj set for Diamond League debut in Paris

Indian track and field athlete Neeraj Chopra will be in action at the IAAF Diamond League, to be held at the Charlety Stadium here, where he will be up against three of the worlds finest javelin throwers, on Saturday.

German Olympic champion Thomas Rohler, Johannes Vetter and Czech thrower Jakub Vadlejch, last year's Diamond Trophy winner, will be part of the list that includes Chopra, who ranks 14 in the world.

Following a three-medal show at the Asian Grand Prix in Jixiang in May, Chopra claimed the gold medal at the Federation Cup Athletics meet in Patiala with a meet record throw of 85.63 meters.

"I'm really looking forward to making my Diamond League debut and giving my best. This competition has been a target ever since the World Championships in Bydgoszcz and I've been working really hard in Patiala in the run up to this," Chopra said in a statement.

The youngster believes this run of competitions will serve him well ahead of the IAAF World Championships, to be held in London in August.

"The Diamond League is a competition where I stand to gain a lot of exposure and the experience will be of huge importance as I work my way towards the World Championships. I am really eager to be in the same fray as some of the finest in the sport," he added.

--IANS

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