Monaco: Neeraj Chopra will hope to carry forward his form from recent performances at the Asian Athletics Championship in Odisha and a Diamond League debut in Paris as the 19-year-old prepares for the IAAF Herculis meet, to be held at the Stade Louis II in Fontvieille, Monaco on Friday night.
Previously one of the five IAAF Super Grand Prix events, Herculis is now part of the IAAF Diamond League and JSW Sports-supported Neeraj says he is looking forward to gaining more experience ahead of the World Championships to be held in London, in August.
“The days and weeks leading up to the World Championships are always crucial and I am happy to be taking part in the Herculis meet. While the aim is always to do my best, I will also look to learn and improve ahead of the World Championships in London, in August,” said Neeraj.
Khandra-born Neeraj threw 85.23 meters at the Asian Athletics Championships, setting a new meet record and claiming gold after a Diamond League debut in Paris had seen him finish a commendable fifth among ten throwers. Neeraj had earlier set the meet record at the Federation Cup Athletics tournament in Patiala with a throw of 85.63 meters, his best this season and since the Junior World Record set in Bydgoszcz last year.
“The Diamond League brings me close to the best in the sport and to be taking part in an event like this is sure to help me in my career. A good finish here would definitely go a long way in building my confidence and that’s what I’ll be aiming to do,” he added.
Neeraj will be up against German duo of Johannes Vetter and Thomas Rohler, Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago), Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic), Ahmed Bader Magour (Qatar) and Julius Yego (Kenya).
Herculis 2017 begins at 11 pm IST on Friday with the Men’s Javelin event scheduled to take place at 11:30 pm IST.
