Neeraj Chopra during a javelin throw event. The Olympic champion has announced his withdrawal from the Asian Games and Diamond League Final after suffering an ankle ligament tear (Img: X)
New Delhi: India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has suffered a major setback ahead of the Asian Games. The Olympic champion confirmed that he will miss the upcoming Asian Games and Diamond League Final after sustaining an ankle ligament tear during a training session.
Chopra revealed that after discussions with his medical team and coaches, he decided to step away from competition for the remainder of the 2026 season to focus on recovery.
Sharing the update on social media, Neeraj said he was disappointed as he felt he was finally finding his rhythm after a challenging start to the season.
The 28-year-old athlete said his recent performances had given him confidence, but the injury forced him to take a cautious approach and prioritise his long-term fitness.
The injury means Chopra will not participate in the Diamond League Final in Brussels and the upcoming Asian Games, where he was expected to be one of India’s biggest medal hopes.
The javelin star had recently secured qualification for the Diamond League Final after impressive performances during the season.
Chopra returned to competitive action after an injury-affected start to the year. He finished fourth at the Doha Diamond League with an 85.69m throw and later won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games with an 85.83m effort.
His biggest throw of the season came at the Lausanne Diamond League, where he recorded 88.05m and finished second.
Despite missing some events, Chopra collected enough points to qualify for the season-ending Diamond League Final. However, his latest injury has brought his campaign to an unexpected halt.
Neeraj Chopra said setbacks are part of an athlete’s journey and expressed hope of returning stronger after completing his rehabilitation.
His absence will be a major blow for India’s athletics campaign, with fans now eagerly waiting for the comeback of the country’s javelin superstar.
