Anderson Peters, Neeraj Chopra and Jakub Vadlejch (© AFP / Getty Images)
All three medallists from the men’s javelin at last year’s World Championships will be reunited at the Doha Meeting – the 2023 Wanda Diamond League opener – on 5 May as double world champion Anderson Peters takes on Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and two-time Diamond Trophy winner Jakub Vadlejch.
Peters and Vadlejch produced the stand-out moment of last year’s Doha Meeting, both men throwing beyond 90 metres for the first time in their careers with Peters eventually claiming victory with a final-round effort of 93.07m – a mark that moved him to fifth on the world all-time list.
The Grenadian went on to enjoy one of his best seasons to date, successfully defending his world title in Oregon and throwing beyond 90 metres in four of his competitions.
Chopra had originally been scheduled to compete in Doha last year but withdrew at the last minute due to a minor injury. The Indian superstar got his 2022 season under way in June, setting a national record of 89.30m in Turku before extending it to 89.94m in Stockholm. After claiming world silver, he ended his season by winning the Diamond Trophy in Zurich, with Vadlejch taking the runner-up spot.
Alongside the World Championships podium finishers, the Doha Meeting will also welcome Germany’s European champion Julian Weber, who finished fourth at the World Championships and Tokyo Olympics and has a best of 89.54m, 2012 Olympic champion and 90.16m performer Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kenya’s 2015 world champion Julius Yego, who holds the African record of 92.72m.
Peters isn’t the only Doha winner from 2022 returning to the Qatari capital. Marileidy Paulino, who won the 400m at this meeting last year, will be seeking a second successive victory over one lap of the track.
The world and Olympic silver medallist from the Dominican Republic set a PB of 48.99 last year to win the Diamond Trophy in Zurich. Compatriot Fiordaliza Cofil, who finished second in Zurich after winning in Brussels with a PB of 49.80, will also be in action in Doha on 5 May.
Organisers for World Athletics
