Neeraj Chopra ruled out of Asian Games, Diamond League Final due to injury
(Courtesy : Getty Images)
Chopra sustained the injury during training for Asian Games
Neeraj Chopra has announced that he will miss the rest of the 2026 season, including the Diamond League Final in Brussels on September 5 and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya in September, due to an ankle injury.
The 28-year-old shared the news on social media. Chopra said that he had suffered a ligament tear in his ankle during training, shortly after posting a season-best throw of 88.05m at the Lausanne Diamond League. After discussions with his doctor and team, he decided to sit out the remainder of the season.
Chopra’s last competitive event was the Lausanne Diamond League, where he finished second with an 88.05m effort.
His only other Diamond League appearance this season was in Doha, where he finished fourth with a throw of 85.69m. Despite competing in just two of the five Diamond League javelin legs this year, he had qualified for the Brussels final, ranked sixth overall in the standings, which were finalised after the Zurich leg on Thursday.
He had also won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July with a best throw of 85.83m, while not fully fit at the time.
What Neeraj Chopra said in his statement
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Sharing the update, Chopra wrote: “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. After discussions with my doctor and team, we’ve decided that I will sit out the rest of this season.”
He added: “It’s disappointing, especially because I felt close to finding my rhythm. But as they say, setbacks are a part of the journey. My focus now is on recovering well and coming back even stronger.”
Chopra is a two-time Olympic medallist and former World champion. He is the defending Asian Games champion in javelin throw, having won gold in Hangzhou in 2023 with a throw of 88.88m, an event where India also took silver through Kishore Jena.
With Chopra out, Rohit Yadav, who missed a medal at the Commonwealth Games, will be India’s sole representative in men’s javelin throw at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Why will Neeraj Chopra miss the 2026 Asian Gamea and Diamond League Final?
Neeraj sustained a ligament tear in his ankle during training, shortly after his second-place finish at the Lausanne Diamond League, ruling him out of the upcoming Asian Games as well as the Diamond League Final.
Which events will Neeraj Chopra miss due to injury?
Chopra will miss the Diamond League Final in Brussels (September 5), the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, held in September and the World Athletics Ultimate Championships.
Who will represent India in javelin throw at the 2026 Asian Games?
Rohit Yadav will be India’s sole representative in men’s javelin throw at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
When will Neeraj Chopra return to action?
Chopra will miss the remainder of the 2026 season due to a ligament tear. He is expected to return back into action next season.
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Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has expertise across a wide range of Olympic sports. While his coverage spans the Olympic spectrum, he is passionate about Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field. Beyond his primary focus areas, Ajay is also an avid kabaddi enthusiast and closely follows the sport.