Star Indian javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena are poised for a direct clash at the Federation Cup finals in Bhubaneswar on May 15, having consistently surpassed the minimum qualification mark of 75m throughout their careers. Chopra, the Olympic and world champion, showcased his skills with a strong performance at the Doha Diamond League, securing second place with a throw of 88.38m. While Chopra shone brightly, Jena, the Asian Games silver medalist, faced disappointment in his Diamond League debut, bowing out after three rounds with his best throw at 76.31m.
DP Manu, eyeing qualification for the upcoming Paris Olympics with a throw beyond the 85.50m benchmark after finishing sixth in the 2023 World Championships, will also bypass the qualifying round to compete directly in the finals.
Indian athletics head coach Radhakrishnan Nair explained, “All those who have crossed 75m will not compete in the qualifying round on Tuesday. There are nine of them, including Neeraj and Jena. They will directly compete in the final on Wednesday. The remaining athletes below the 75m mark will vie for the top three spots in the qualifying round to join the finalists.”
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) expressed anticipation for Neeraj Chopra’s return to domestic competition after three years, viewing his participation in the Federation Cup as a significant boost for Indian athletics.
“It’s no surprise that Neeraj is taking part in the Federation Cup. His involvement in domestic events is crucial for Indian athletics,” a senior AFI official remarked.
Chopra, who hadn’t participated in any domestic events in 2022 and 2023 due to international commitments, will make his first competitive appearance in India since the March 2021 Federation Cup. Meanwhile, Jena is set to arrive in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
Addressing concerns about athlete injuries, Nair reassured that Rajesh Ramesh’s injury, sustained during a relay heat in the Bahamas, isn’t severe and he’s expected to resume training in a couple of weeks. The Indian athletics team, consisting of 19 athletes, will undergo a training camp in Spala, Poland, for four weeks before heading to Paris for the Olympics.
Despite setbacks in the World Relays, Nair remains optimistic about the mixed 4x400m relay team’s Paris qualification, with two slots still up for grabs.
