NEW DELHI — Neeraj Chopra will miss the rest of the 2026 season after sustaining a ligament tear in his ankle during training, the two-time Olympic medallist announced in a post on X on Saturday. The injury forces India's leading javelin thrower out of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the Diamond League Final in Brussels, and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, ending his campaign shortly after he had begun regaining form.
"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," Chopra wrote. He added that the setback was disappointing, as he had felt close to finding his rhythm.
Recent Performances and Injury
Chopra's decision comes just over a week after he finished second at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21 with a season-best throw of 88.05m, losing out to Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage by nine centimetres. That mark was his best performance in more than a year, though still short of his career-best throw. The ankle injury occurred during a training session in the days that followed.
The 28-year-old had been working his way back into form after a lower back injury that troubled him from September 2025 and delayed the start of his season. He returned to competition at the Doha Diamond League, where he finished fourth with 85.69m, before claiming silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with 85.83m. Chopra had also collected enough points across the season to qualify for the Diamond League Final, making his enforced absence from Brussels, scheduled for September 4-5, a further blow.
Impact on Asian Games
His withdrawal removes India's most prominent medal contender from the Asian Games, which begin September 19. Chopra is a two-time Asian Games men's javelin champion and had been expected to lead India's campaign in the event.
Chopra said his immediate focus is on rehabilitation and recovery. Neither he nor his team has announced a timetable for his return to competition.
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Reader questions
Frequently asked questions
What injury did Neeraj Chopra sustain?
Neeraj Chopra sustained a ligament tear in his ankle during a training session, forcing him to miss the remainder of the 2026 athletics season.
Which major events will Neeraj Chopra miss due to his injury?
He will miss the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, the Diamond League Final in Brussels, and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
When did Neeraj Chopra's injury occur?
The ankle injury occurred during training shortly after he competed in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21, where he achieved a season-best throw of 88.05m.
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