Chopra started his Diamond League campaign in Doha, where he produced an 85.69m throw and finished fourth. He then showed improvement in Lausanne, recording a season best 88.05m to finish second. Although he did not compete in Zurich, his points from the two meetings were enough to keep him among the six qualifiers. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage finished the qualification phase at the top of the standings after winning in Zurich. He produced an impressive 92.07m throw with his final attempt to take the victory. The effort was just short of his season best 92.62m, highlighting the consistency he has shown throughout the year.

Pathirage has enjoyed an exceptional 2026 season, winning 11 of his 12 competitions. His performances have also turned him into a major rival for Chopra. The two have faced each other several times this season, with Pathirage getting the better of the Indian champion on multiple occasions. Chopra's qualification adds another exciting chapter to their growing rivalry. The Indian star has considerable experience competing at major international events and will now have an opportunity to challenge Pathirage on the biggest Diamond League stage.

The Brussels final is expected to feature a strong field of javelin throwers, making it an important test for Chopra. After finishing second in Lausanne with his best throw of the season, he will be aiming to carry that momentum into the final and finish the Diamond League campaign with a strong performance. For Indian athletics fans, Chopra's qualification is significant, particularly after he chose to skip Zurich. All eyes will now be on Brussels to see whether the Olympic champion can overcome the in form Pathirage and add another major achievement to his impressive career.