Neeraj Chopra at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Doha (© Matt Quine)
A host of global gold medallists have been confirmed to compete at the Jetour Doha Meeting – the third fixture in the 2025 Wanda Diamond League – in the Qatari capital on Friday 16 May.
World javelin champion Neeraj Chopra will be making his third appearance in Doha, having won there in 2023 with 88.67m. The Indian record-holder came close to that mark when finishing second in Doha last year with 88.36m.
“I’m always overwhelmed by the support I get from the Indian people in Qatar; there aren’t enough words to thank them,” said the 2021 Olympic champion, who is now coached by world record-holder Jan Zelezny.
Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana will be making his Doha debut. The world athlete of the year will contest the 100m at the Diamond League meetings in Xiamen on 26 April and Shanghai/ Keqiao on 3 May before stepping back up to his favoured distance in Doha.
“Last year was tough both emotionally and physically but I’m excited to compete and to see how the season develops,” said the 21-year-old. “It’s going to be a very long season, but I’m more experienced and mature and I’m ready to push my body to its limits and make every moment count.”
In the high jump, Olympic champion Hamish Kerr will take on his predecessor as Olympic champion, Mutaz Barshim, a home favourite in Doha.
“Things are building nicely for the year ahead and I’m excited to open my Diamond League season in Doha,” said Kerr, the 2024 world indoor champion. “It’s a big summer, and of course my focus is on the World Championships in Tokyo, but in order to grow and learn more about yourself, it’s important to put yourself out there and compete against the best.”
Barshim, who skipped the indoor season this year, is excited to return to Diamond League action in Doha.
“I’ve been in this sport a while now and I have to make sensible decisions,” said the three-time world champion. “The World Championships in Tokyo is my main goal for the year and to perform at my best, I need to prioritise my competitions ahead of then. The ‘What Gravity Challenge’ and the Diamond League meeting in Doha will be my first two events of the year and I’m looking forward to opening up my season in front of a home support, it means a lot to me to be able to do that.”
