File photo of Neeraj Chopra.© AFP
Double Olympic medallist Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will compete at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 athletics meet in the Czech Republic city on June 24, hoping to be third time lucky after pulling out in the last two editions due to injuries. The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist was supposed to participate in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the tournament but pulled out after suffering injuries on both occasions. However, he was in Ostrava last year as a special guest of the competition, which is the most prestigious annual athletics event in the country. The tournament will see Chopra compete in his legendary new coach Jan Zelezny’s home turf.
“I am excited to announce that I will take part in the Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava this year. It’s a legendary race and this year will be exceptional. My coach Jan Zelezny has not only won there many times, but also acts as the director of the whole event.
“I feel great and I hope you will see really nice and far-reaching feasts. I look forward to meeting you all,” Chopra said in a press release issued by the tournament organisers.
Held since 1961, the Golden Spike is a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold label meet, which makes it a second-tier annual global athletics competition only after the Diamond League series.
Before heading to Ostrava, Chopra, who won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics last year and is also a world championship gold medallist, will be seen in action at the Doha Diamond League on May 16 and the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on May 24.
The Indian star had opted out of the Asian Athletics Championships, which will be held in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27 to 31.
The Golden Spike javelin competition will attract a top field, including 2020 Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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