NEW DELHI — India’s two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has brought his 2026 competitive season to an early close after sustaining a ligament tear in his ankle during a training session. The unexpected injury rules the javelin star out of both the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and the Diamond League Final in Brussels.
The setback arrived shortly after Chopra delivered a season-best throw of 88.05 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League meet, where he finished second and appeared to be rediscovering his competitive rhythm. Following consultations with his medical team and support staff, the 28-year-old decided to sit out the remainder of the season to prioritize full rehabilitation over rushing back to the track.
In a statement shared on social media, Chopra expressed disappointment over the timing of the injury, noting that while setbacks are an inevitable part of high-performance athletics, his immediate focus is on recovering properly to return stronger.
Chopra’s withdrawal represents a substantial blow to India’s track-and-field medal prospects at the continental showpiece, where he had been scheduled to pursue a third consecutive Asian Games javelin title after victories in Jakarta in 2018 and Hangzhou in 2023.
