Why is Neeraj Chopra not participating in Asian Games 2026?
Neeraj Chopra is the reigning Asian Games champion in men’s javelin throw
The Asian Games 2026 is the 20th edition of the continental tournament, which will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. India are sending a 508-member contingent to the upcoming tournament and will be aiming to better their 106-medal haul from the Hangzhou 2022 Games.
However, India’s medal hopes suffered a big setback even before the opening ceremony. Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Asian Games men’s javelin title holder and a two-time Olympic medallist, suffered an ankle ligament injury that ruled him out of the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Chopra suffered this serious injury during training following his appearance at the Lausanne Diamond League 2026 in August. After a period of downturn in form due to injury, Chopra had managed a season-best throw of 88.05m, but saw his season prematurely curtailed by the injury.
The Paris 2024 Olympics silver medallist confirmed the news via social media.
“After a period of hard work, I finally felt I was gaining the momentum I had been looking for with a Season’s Best throw in Lausanne. Unfortunately, shortly after, I sustained a ligament tear in my ankle during training,” Chopra wrote. “After discussions with my doctor and team, we’ve decided that I will sit out the rest of this season.
“It’s disappointing, especially because I felt close to finding my rhythm. But as they say, setbacks are a part of the journey,” he added. “My focus now is on recovering well and coming back even stronger.”
Chopra had won gold in men’s javelin throw at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and the Hangzhou 2022 Games. However, he will not be able to defend his title this year.
He missed the Diamond League Final in Brussels on September 5 and the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest on September 13.
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The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had earlier confirmed that Chopra had asked the federation “to give his place to another athlete so that India’s javelin remains represented on the continent’s biggest stage.”
As a result, Chopra was replaced by Yash Vir Singh in India’s athletics contingent. Yash Vir had won bronze at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow with a personal-best throw of 85.41m. Yash Vir will be joined by Rohit Yadav at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Will Neeraj Chopra participate in the Asian Games 2026?
No, he will not compete after suffering an ankle ligament injury during training.
Why is Neeraj Chopra not participating in the Asian Games 2026?
He suffered an ankle ligament injury during training after the Lausanne Diamond League, ruling him out of Aichi‑Nagoya.
Who replaced Neeraj Chopra in India’s javelin squad?
Yash Vir Singh, the CWG 2026 bronze medallist, has taken his place in the squad.
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