Top Indian athletes who could soon make Diamond League debut

Eldhose Paul was the latest Indian to debut in the elite annual track and field competitions.

Indian athletes have been making waves in international athletics competitions with their impressive performances and record-breaking achievements. Among the top Indian athletes, Eldhose Paul and Neeraj Chopra have already made their mark in the Doha Diamond League 2023 held in Doha last week, while fellow Indian athletes Avinash Sable, Annu Rani and Murali Sreeshankar took part in the Diamond Leagues last year and could yet take part this year.

With an impressive season-opening throw of 88.67, Neeraj Chopra, who won the Doha Diamond League Trophy last year, soared to victory and is currently the world leader in Javelin Throw. However, Eldhose Paul, CWG 2022 gold medallist, had a disappointing debut in the Diamond League finishing 10th (second-last) after a best jump of 15.84m.

The participation of Indian athletes in the Diamond League series could give them a valuable opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage.

To be eligible to compete in the Diamond League, an athlete must meet several criteria. Firstly, they must have a world ranking that places them within the top 12 athletes in their discipline. Additionally, their season's best performance must meet the global standards for their event indicating that they are in good form and capable of producing competitive results.

While previous achievements such as world championships are taken into consideration the decision to invite an athlete to a particular meet ultimately lies at the discretion of the meet director. In this regard, it is usually the responsibility of the athlete's agent to persuade the meet directors that their client possesses the requisite skill and ability to compete at their event.

The following is a group of talented Indian athletes who are anticipated to make their debut in the upcoming Diamond League series. With their impressive performances in national-level competitions, these athletes have already proven their mettle and could be a force to reckon with in the ongoing Diamond League.

1. Jeswin Aldrin

Indian Long Jumper, Jeswin Aldrin has been turning heads with his performances in national-level competitions and could make his Diamond League debut in the upcoming events. Jeswin Aldrin's impressive performance in the 2023 season reached new heights at the Indian Open Jumps Competition 2023 held in Bellary, Karnataka.

He not only won the gold medal in the men's long jump event, but also set a new National Record and claimed the top spot in the global outdoor rankings with a jump of 8.42m on his third attempt. The leap is more than the Tokyo Olympics gold standard. With such feats, The 21-year-old from Tamil Nadu could challenge for a top-three finish in his discipline when he makes his Diamond League debut.

2. Praveen Chithravel

Praveen Chithravel, the triple jumper, is another Indian athlete who could make his debut in the Diamond League. Praveen recently made headlines with his impressive performance in the Prueba de Confrontacion athletics meet in Havana, Cuba. He broke the national record in the men's triple jump with a 17.37m jump. He is an athlete to watch out for on the world stage.

3. Parul Chaudhary

The women’s steeplechase event could also see the debut participation of India's Parul Chaudhary. Her recent achievement seized the spotlight for breaking Preeja Sreedharan's 13-year-old record from the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou with an impressive time of 15:10:35 obliterating the previous national record of 15:15.89 in the women's 5000-metre run.

Parul Chaudhary also achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first Indian athlete to complete the women's 3000m race in under nine minutes. With a remarkable timing of 8:57.19, she set a new Indian record in the event. Her presence in the Diamond League will mark a significant milestone in Indian athletics.

4. DP Manu

With a record of breaching the 80m mark in at least five out of nine competitions in 2022, the 22-year-old javelin thrower made a name for himself. Despite finishing fifth at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, he clinched the top spot at the National Open Athletics Championships 2022 in October with a new meet record throw of 81.29m.

Though financial difficulties prevented him from planning his international exposure in 2022, it is hopeful that 2023 will provide more opportunities.

In conclusion, the potential debut of Indian athletes including Jeswin Aldrin, Praveen Chithravel, Parul Chaudhary and DP Manu in the upcoming Diamond League series is a testament to the growing athletic talent in India. Their performances in national competitions have been nothing short of impressive and the chance to showcase their talent in an international arena could not only elevate their careers but also inspire a new generation of Indian athletes.