New Delhi: Indian javelin throw icon Neeraj Chopra will compete in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, aiming to defend his continental title. The confirmation came from Adille Sumariwalla, the chairman of the Athletics Federation of India selection committee, putting an end to speculation regarding the two-time Olympic medallist’s postseason schedule. Chopra, who has been carefully managing his return following a lower back injury sustained prior to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, launched his competitive season with an 85.69-metre throw to place fourth at the Doha Diamond League.
The selection committee formalised his inclusion alongside the wider national track and field contingent on the concluding day of the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships. Having previously secured gold at the continental games in Hangzhou with a throw of 88.88 metres, the twenty-eight-year-old athlete is now confirmed for a demanding dual-championship calendar. He is slated to represent India at both the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the subsequent Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which run from mid-September through early October.
The upcoming field in Japan promises an elite level of competition for the defending champion. Chopra is expected to face a formidable challenge from Sri Lanka’s rising star, Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who crossed the elusive 90-metre threshold earlier this year and claimed the top spot in Doha. Additionally, Pakistan’s Olympic and reigning Asian Games champion, Arshad Nadeem, remains a significant threat in the medal race despite his late withdrawal from recent Diamond League events.
The national federation has granted Chopra and his personal coaching staff complete autonomy over his immediate competitive schedule leading up to the Glasgow games. Rather than enforcing mandatory appearances, the governing body is prioritizing a tailored training and recovery strategy designed by his medical team. The primary focus remains on structure, allowing the athlete to progressively build his form and peak precisely during the consecutive multi-sport international events.
