Neeraj Chopra ruled out for '26, to miss Asian Games

Neeraj Chopra, India's two-time Olympic medallist, has announced he will be sidelined for the remainder of the 2026 season due to an ankle ligament tear he sustained during training. The 28-year-old sustained the injury shortly after throwing a season-best in Lausanne, where he felt he was finally gaining momentum. After consulting with his medical team, Chopra has decided to sit out the rest of the season, expressing disappointment that he was nearing his rhythm but acknowledging that setbacks are part of the journey.

This decision means Chopra will miss the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, where he was expected to defend his title. He had also been named in the Indian team for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which took place from July 23 to August 2. Chopra's withdrawal from competition also rules him out of the Diamond League Final.

The injury occurred after Chopra returned to competition this season following a lower back injury he sustained before the Tokyo World Championships in September 2025. His absence is a significant blow to India's athletics campaign at the Asian Games, where the men's javelin competition was anticipated to feature a strong field.