New Delhi: India’s medal prospects at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games have suffered a massive blow, with star javelin thrower and double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra ruled out of the remainder of the season due to an ankle injury. Chopra will consequently miss the continental event in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, where he was slated to defend his title.
Chopra confirmed the unfortunate development through a social media statement, revealing that he sustained a ligament tear in his ankle during a training session. The injury occurred shortly after he threw a season-best 88.05 meters at the Lausanne Diamond League. The athlete noted that he had finally felt his momentum and rhythm returning during the Lausanne meet, making the sudden injury particularly frustrating.
Following extensive consultations with his medical team and doctors, Chopra made the decision to undergo complete rest for the rest of the 2026 calendar. Expressing his disappointment, he acknowledged that while the timing is deeply unfortunate, setbacks and challenges are an inevitable part of an athlete’s journey. He emphasized that his immediate focus has shifted entirely to recovery and rehabilitation to return to the field stronger, while also taking a moment to thank his fans for their continuous love and support.
The 2026 season had been a mixed bag for the champion thrower prior to the injury. While he secured a podium finish at a recent event in Glasgow, he missed out on the gold medal to Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage, who delivered a stunning 89.75-meter throw. Chopra’s subsequent performance in Lausanne had elevated him to seventh place in the Diamond League standings, keeping him in the race for qualification before the injury abruptly ended his campaign.
With the defending champion sidelined, the mantle of India’s javelin hopes at the Asian Games now falls heavily on Rohit Yadav. Yadav recently proved his mettle by clinching victory with a personal-best throw of 87.68 meters at the World Athletics Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar. As the Indian athletics contingent prepares for Aichi-Nagoya, Yadav has emerged as the nation’s most formidable contender to secure a spot on the javelin podium.