Neeraj Chopra withdraws from Commonwealth Games 2022

The Javelin thrower has recently won the silver medal at World Athletics Championship.

In a big blow to the Indian contingent, Neeraj Chopra will not be able to participate in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England. The quadrennial event will start from 28 July onwards and will see several high-profile Indians fight for medals. India was to send a 215-member team but will now be without perhaps their biggest star. The Tokyo Olympics gold medal winner in javelin throw will miss it owing to fitness concerns.

This is due to a groin injury, he picked up during the Men’s Javelin Throw event at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in the United States of America. He is also the reigning gold medal winner after achieving it at the 2018 CWG in Gold Coast, Australia. The javelin throw ace was one of the strongest hopes of gold for India at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

It is a major setback for the organisers of the 2022 Commonwealth Games as well. The disappointment of not having the only Asian to win gold in the javelin throw at the Olympics and the reigning Olympic gold medallist will certainly have a negative effect.

Advised Month-Long Rest

Despite winning a historic silver in the Men’s Javelin Throw at the 2022 World Championships, the 24-year-old felt discomfort in his groin. Post an MRI scan, the medical team has advised a one-month long rest for Chopra to recover. This effectively rules him out of the Commonwealth Games. Indian fans will be bitterly disappointed with this news as they were hoping for gold from the javelin throw ace. 

"Team India javelin thrower Mr. Neeraj Chopra had called me earlier today from the US to convey his inability to take part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games owing to fitness concerns. Following his participation in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Mr. Chopra had an MRI scan done on Monday and, based on it, he has been advised a month’s rest by his medical team".- Shri. Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General, IOA.

Neeraj Chopra became only the second Indian ever alongside legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George, to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships. He won silver after executing an 88.13m throw, longer than his effort that won gold at the Tokyo Olympics. With several important multi-event meets such as the Asian Games yet to take place, it is a carefully analysed decision to skip the upcoming 2022 CWG in Birmingham.

Having said that, Neeraj Chopra’s absence will be felt by the whole country that will be cheering its athletes. It is beyond any doubt that the javelin throw star will come back stronger from this setback.