By Staff Reporter
Doha: The seventh stop of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League, the Mazzraty Doha Meeting, will take place this Friday, 19 June at the Qatar Sports Club, promising another evening of world-class athletics.
Doha has earned a reputation for delivering electric atmospheres and outstanding performances. Last year’s meeting saw a capacity crowd deliver raucous support, contributing to four world leads, six senior national records, and one meeting record-equalling performance — highlighted by Germany’s Julian Weber’s stunning 91.06m throw to win the men’s javelin.
Top highlights for 2026
Men’s Javelin
The discipline is once again expected to deliver fireworks. World leader Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI) heads the field after his sensational national record of 92.62m in Rome earlier this month, which moved him to eighth on the world all-time list. He will face a formidable lineup including:
– Keshorn Walcott (TTO), reigning world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medallist
– Neeraj Chopra (IND), former Olympic and world champion (recent addition)
– Anderson Peters (GRN), two-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist
– Curtis Thompson (USA), world bronze medallist
Additional stars include Julius Yego (KEN), Jakub Vadlejch (CZE), and Artur Felfner (UKR). Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem is not competing as he is not yet in his pre-competition phase.
Pathirage, a 23-year-old former cricketer making his first appearance in Doha, said:
> “Competing against the world’s best athletes is a dream come true for me and I’m incredibly excited to line up in Doha where we’ve witnessed many memorable javelin competitions over the years.”
Women’s 400m
Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino (DOM) will launch her 2026 Wanda Diamond League campaign in Doha. The 29-year-old Dominican star holds the Olympic record (48.17) and has previously won both her outings at the Qatar Sports Club.
Men’s 3000m steeplechase
Crowd favourite and Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) returns to Doha, a venue he describes as his “second home.” The two-time world champion and 2022 Diamond League winner is unbeaten in steeplechase this season.
Men’s 110m hurdles
Reigning world and Diamond League champion Cordell Tinch (USA) leads the field after a breakthrough 2025 season that included a personal best of 12.87 seconds.
Incentive for excellence
Organisers will once again award a $5,000 bonus to any athlete who sets a new meeting record, continuing an initiative first introduced in 2025.
Notable changes
Several big names have withdrawn due to scheduling conflicts, including pole vault star Mondo Duplantis (due to his wedding) and high jumper Hamish Kerr. However, Qatar’s own athletics legend Mutaz Barshim will compete in the high jump.
The Mazzraty Doha Meeting forms part of the 15-meeting 2026 Wanda Diamond League series, which spans four continents and concludes with the final in Brussels on 4-5 September.
Full start lists are now available. Expect another memorable night of elite athletics as Doha continues to establish itself as a premier destination on the global track and field calendar.
