- Iran mourns president Raisi's death in helicopter crash
- Attack on tourists rocks fledgling Afghanistan tourism sector
- Paralympics should put disability back on global agenda, says IPC chief
- South Africa's top court strikes Zuma from ballot
- Crunch time looms for BHP's bid buy Anglo American
- Kane to face old club Spurs for first time in Seoul
- Markets rise as traders cheered by China property plan
- Black farmers in Brazil changing views on coffee production
- Iran's President Raisi declared dead in helicopter crash
- Australia police arrest 554 in domestic violence crackdown
- South Korea, Britain host AI summit with safety top of agenda
- New president Lai vows to defend Taiwan's democracy
- Forever fad: Rubik says his cube 'reminds us why we have hands'
- Trump eyes witness stand as trial draws to a close
- Ryanair annual profit jumps on higher demand, fares
- High-priced Cummins, Starc face off as IPL enters playoffs
- Iran media says President Raisi died in helicopter crash
- Dominican Republic President Abinader re-elected to 2nd term
- New Taiwan president Lai hails 'glorious' democracy
- New Caledonia separatists defy French efforts to unblock roads
- Timberwolves knock out defending champion Nuggets, Pacers oust Knicks
- Trump biopic hits Cannes Film Festival
- Iran President Raisi's helicopter found, 'no sign of life'
- Three talking points ahead of 2024 French Open
- 'Haikyu!!': Comic heroes fuel Japan Olympic volleyball manga mania
- Timberwolves rally to knock defending champion Nuggets out of NBA playoffs
- London court set to rule on Julian Assange extradition
- Business and Bollywood votes in India election
- Pope calls anti-migrant attitudes at US border 'madness'
- Mexico aims to be big economic winner from US-China tensions
- Uncertain future for thousands after deadly Brazil floods
- Schauffele makes the putt of his life for first major win
- Wirtz returns to help unbeaten Leverkusen chase history
- Search for Iran's President Raisi after helicopter goes missing
- DeChambeau's powerful putting has him excited for US Open
- Taiwan to swear in new president as China pressure grows
- Atalanta can end 61-year wait for trophy in Europa League final
- Schauffele birdies final hole to capture PGA for first major win
- Guardiola casts doubt over long-term Man City future
- Hollywood icons Costner and Demi Moore make Cannes comeback
- Pacers shoot down Knicks to reach NBA Eastern Conference finals
- Schauffele birdies final hole, captures first major at PGA Championship
- McLaughlin powers to Indy 500 pole in all-Penske front row
- Monaco footballer tapes over LGBTQ badge
- Korda wins sixth LPGA title of year with win at Liberty National
- Pacers put on shooting show to down Knicks, reach NBA Eastern Conference finals
- US envoy touts 'potential' of Israel-Saudi deal in Netanyahu talks
- Dominicans vote for president in poll overshadowed by Haiti crisis
- Brest secure Champions League qualification, PSG win without Mbappe
- Mbappe absent as PSG win final Ligue 1 game
Olympic javelin champion Chopra targets 90m mark in Doha
India's Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra on Thursday said he was hoping to break the elusive 90-metres mark at the Doha Diamond League as he warms up for the Paris Games.
Chopra, a 26-year-old farmer's son from the northern state of Haryana, added a second Asian Games gold in Hangzhou last year to his Olympic and world titles.
And while he has achieved stardom in India, winning the nation of 1.4 billion's first Olympic athletics gold at Tokyo 2020, membership of the elite 90m club has so far escaped him.
"I really want to break this barrier," Chopra told a news conference, a day before the Diamond League meeting in the Qatari capital.
A throw of 90m would still leave the Indian athlete well short of Jan Zelezny's world record of 98.48m set in 1996.
Chopra said questions over the landmark had followed him since he threw 88.06 at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, not least because of the elbow surgery which forced him to miss the 2019 season.
"I am stuck between 88 and 90 metres," said Chopra.
Chopra, who set his personal best of 89.94 in 2022, said he had also hoped to break 90m last year in Doha, which is "famous for 90 metres".
"But we were not lucky because (of) too much headwind. Maybe tomorrow it will be good," he said.
Known for his boyish looks and bright smile, Chopra acknowledged his popularity in India but downplayed his celebrity in comparison to cricket superstars Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
He said a decision to train outside India, in South Africa, Turkey and in Europe later this year, was motivated by the need to focus on the Paris Olympics, which start on July 26.
"It's good for my profile if I train in India," Chopra said. "But right now it's Olympic year... I want to train more."
"India is a really big country and everyone wants gold always but it's really hard in the Olympics because all the world's best athletes will come and compete there," he added.
"But my focus is to stay healthy and just focus on my technique and if I stay healthy, everything will be good."
C.Kovalenko--BTB