Neeraj Chopra And Long Jumper Sreeshankar Murali Qualify For The Diamond League Final

Neeraj Chopra and Sreeshankar Murali qualify for Diamond League final, showcasing India's athletic talent on the global stage

Written by: Namrata Sawal

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: September 01, 2023

Summary: Securing his position as the World Champion, Neeraj Chopra climbs to third place on the points table in the Diamond League final race. Meanwhile, Sreeshankar Murali's fifth-place finish in Zurich propels him to the third spot overall on the points table.

Two Indian athletes, Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw and Sreeshankar Murali in long jump, are set to compete in the Diamond League final scheduled for September 16 and 17 in Eugene. Their qualification follows their commendable finishes within the top six on the points table after the Zurich leg on Thursday night. While Chopra maintained a strategic approach in Zurich, and Sreeshankar faced some challenges in performance, both secured third positions on the points table with 23 and 14 points respectively.

In the points table standings after four rounds, the top three positions are held by Vadlejch with 29 points, Webber with 25 points, and Chopra with 23 points. With the top six securing qualification, they will participate in the Diamond League final in Eugene in mid-September.

Another Indian contender, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, secured fifth place in Zurich with his best jump measuring 7.99 meters. After four events, Sreeshankar holds the third spot with 14 points, trailing Switzerland's Simon Ehammer (23 points) and World Champion Maltiadis Tentoglou (29 points). Tentoglou claimed victory in Zurich with an 8.20-meter jump, while Tajay Gayle from Jamaica secured second place with a jump of 8.07 meters.

Having secured his position as the reigning Diamond League champion, Neeraj has already earned his spot in the finals by virtue of his victories in the Doha and Lausanne editions earlier this year.

"I'm feeling quite good at the moment. After the World Championships, everyone was a bit fatigued, as we gave our all there. However, my objective for this competition was primarily to maintain my well-being. Looking ahead, I'm gearing up for Eugene and subsequently the Asian Games. My priority was to ensure my health and give my best in the upcoming competitions. It's crucial to listen to our bodies. Today, I feel fine, completely well, but I didn't exert myself excessively. Often, our foremost aim is to stay in good health. While I did perform to my utmost today, my focus remained on maintaining my well-being," Neeraj expressed following the event.