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Xtra Time Web Desk: Tokyo Olympic gold medal winner Neeraj Chopra started the 2023 season with a bang by clinching the Doha Diamond League title. Neeraj’s opening throw of 88.67 m was enough to win him the title at the Suhaim bin Hamad Stadium. Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic came a close second with the best throw of 88.63m while world champion Anderson Peters was third with a best throw of 85.88m.

Although Neeraj missed the 90m mark, but the 25-year-old will be satisfied to start the season well. This performance will hold him in good stead ahead of the World Championships in August and Asian Games in September.

Going into the Doha meet, Neeraj had exuded confidence in breaching the 90m mark. In three competitions last year, he crossed 89m but had fallen agonisingly short each time. His best effort was in Stockholm when he threw his personal best of 89.94m.