Doha Diamond League, Men's javelin Highlights: Neeraj Chopra finishes fourth on return, Pathirage wins

Rumesh Pathirage has emerged victorious in the men's javelin event, producing a stunning winning throw of 88.68m. Anderson Peters finished second with 86.38m, while USA's Curtis Thompson claimed third place with 85.99m.

It turned out to be a disappointing return to competition for Neeraj Chopra, who finished fourth with a best effort of 85.69m.

Despite recovering from an opening-round foul and crossing the Commonwealth Games qualification mark, the Indian star could not break into the top three on a day dominated by Pathirage's brilliance.

Disappointment for Neeraj Chopra. The Indian Olympic champion fouled his fifth attempt, meaning he remains outside the top three and will not be eligible for the sixth and final round of throws.

It brings an underwhelming end to his return to competition, with Neeraj currently sitting fourth on the leaderboard.

The only question now is whether he can hold on to that position or slip further down the standings as the remaining athletes complete their attempts.

Rumesh Pathirage has faltered slightly, registering 80.53 metres, his weakest effort of the three attempts so far.

Neeraj Chopra is steadily raising his game and has moved into third place with a throw of 85.69m. The gap to Anderson Peters’ leading mark of 86.38m is now within striking distance, setting up a tense battle ahead.\

Neeraj Chopra may be struggling to find his best rhythm at the Doha Diamond League, but he has still managed to clear the Commonwealth Games qualification mark in the process.

Rumesh Pathirage has improved on his first attempt with a throw of 84.63m in his second effort.

The question now is whether he can go past Anderson Peters and take the lead. Having already breached the 90m mark this season, there is certainly a chance if he finds his rhythm.

Apart from finishing on top with Doha, Neeraj Chopra will also be targeting the Commonwealth Games 2026 qualification standard of 82.61m, a mark that should help settle him after the early pressure in the competition.

USA’s Curtis Thompson has taken the lead with a massive 85.99m, which is also his season’s best, shaking up the competition at a crucial stage.

Rumesh Pathirage made a steady start with 82.62 metres, just under Anderson Peters of Grenada, who registered 82.82. The pressure is now clearly on Neeraj Chopra, needing a solid response after his opening foul.

Keshorn Walcott opened with a throw of 81.47m, setting the early benchmark in the field. Neeraj Chopra, however, began with a foul on his first attempt, leaving him with early pressure in the competition.

We are just 10 minutes away from Neeraj Chopra’s event, and the anticipation is reaching fever pitch. Across India, fans are glued to their screens, waiting for the moment India’s golden boy begins his run-up.

Whether Neeraj Chopra feels the nerves or not is unknown, but back home, there is no hiding it. The tension is real, the wait is unbearable, and all eyes are set on what happens next.

The man most likely to test Neeraj Chopra is also the rival he once helped inspire.

At the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru last July, Chopra won gold while a young Rumesh Pathirage took bronze and later received encouragement from him to speak without fear on the big stage.

Since then, Pathirage has exploded in form, opening 2026 with throws of 89.37m and 89.28m, followed by a 92.62m national record in Rome.

He has won six of seven events this season and arrives in Doha as the world leader for his first Diamond League clash with Chopra.

THE STACKED DOHA FIELD

• Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) – SB: 83.45m | PB: 90.16m
• Neeraj Chopra (India) – SB: Yet to compete | PB: 90.23m
• Anderson Peters (Grenada) – SB: 86.08m | PB: 93.07m
• Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka) – SB: 92.62m | PB: 92.62m
• Curtis Thompson (USA) – SB: 85.33m | PB: 87.76m
• Julius Yego (Kenya) – SB: 80.59m | PB: 92.72m
• Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic) – SB: 85.24m | PB: 90.88m
• Ahmed Sameh Mohamed Hussein (Egypt) – SB: 83.10m | PB: 83.10m
• Artur Felfner (Ukraine) – SB: 83.11m | PB: 84.32m

All eyes are on Doha as a storm returns to the javelin world. 2-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is all set for his long-awaited comeback, stepping back into professional competition after nearly a year on the sidelines.

Forced out by a back injury, the champion has been in recovery mode, but now the wait is over. The stage is set, the runway is ready, and the world is watching.

Neeraj Chopra will return to action at the Doha Diamond League 2026, and with it comes one burning question, can the king of javelin pick up right where he left off?