Neeraj Chopra, India's celebrated javelin thrower, is set to compete at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on June 24. Following his recent victory at the Paris Diamond League, Chopra aims to maintain his winning momentum at this prestigious World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event.

The Ostrava Golden Spike is a significant event in the athletics calendar, ranking just below the Diamond League series in importance. This year marks the 64th edition of the Golden Spike, also known as Zlatá tretra Ostrava, and it is considered the premier track and field event in Czechia, attracting top international athletes. For Neeraj, this competition holds extra significance as it is organized in part by his coach, Jan Zelezny, a javelin legend and world record holder. Zelezny's presence adds a layer of familiarity and motivation for Chopra as he competes on his coach's home turf.

Neeraj Chopra's journey to the Ostrava Golden Spike hasn't been without its challenges. He was scheduled to participate in both the 2023 and 2024 editions but had to withdraw due to injuries. Finally making his debut at the event, Neeraj is eager to make a mark and showcase his skills.

The competition is scheduled to start at 10:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Tuesday, and fans in India can follow the live streaming on the World Athletics website. While there will be no live telecast on TV channels in India, the online stream provides an accessible way for fans to witness Neeraj's performance.

This year, Neeraj has already made headlines by breaching the 90-meter mark for the first time in his career, achieving a throw of 90.23 meters at the Doha Diamond League. Although he finished second in that event, the 90m+ throw was a significant milestone. In Paris Diamond League he secured first position which further boosted his confidence.

At the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025, Neeraj faces a competitive field. Key rivals include Germany's Thomas Röhler, the Rio Olympics javelin throw gold medalist, and Grenada's Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist. While Röhler has been struggling with injuries in recent years, Peters is also aiming to regain his peak form. Other notable athletes in the competition include Jan Výška and Alexandr Caca from the Czech Republic, Marc Anthony Minichiello from the USA, Douw Smit from South Africa, Martin Konecny from the Czech Republic and Toni Keränen from Finland, making it a diverse and challenging field for Neeraj.

Neeraj has expressed his determination to perform well, "I came last year, but I didn't compete because of injury. Now I feel good, but I don't want to put any pressure on myself for 90m. But I'll try really hard".

With the World Championships approaching in September, the Ostrava Golden Spike serves as a crucial opportunity for Neeraj to fine-tune his technique, assess his competition, and build momentum. His performance in Ostrava will not only be a test of his current form but also a strong indicator of his readiness for the challenges ahead.

As Neeraj Chopra steps onto the field in Ostrava, all eyes will be on him to see if he can replicate his Paris success and continue his impressive form.