Neeraj Chopra’s injury battles: From elbow surgery to 2026 ankle ligament tear
Neeraj Chopra's pursuit of glory takes another hit as he is sidelined from the 2026 Asian Games due to an ankle ligament tear sustained in a recent event. This injury adds to his history of struggles, including a prolonged nine-month battle with a back ailment. Previously, he faced challenges with adductor issues that also clouded his 2024 season, leading to ongoing interruptions in his…
Neeraj Chopra's illustrious career has been marked by numerous Olympic medals and record-breaking throws, but the journey hasn't been without its setbacks due to injuries. The Indian thrower's 2026 season has come to an abrupt end following an ankle ligament tear sustained during training, causing him to miss the Asian Games, Diamond League Final, and World Athletics Ultimate Championships.
This latest setback follows a long road to recovery from a back injury in the 2025-26 season, which forced Chopra to take an extended break from competition. Prior to that, an adductor concern prevented him from competing in the Paris Diamond League ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he successfully defended his silver medal.
In 2023, Chopra missed three consecutive competitions due to a muscle strain, a setback that delayed his return to action by roughly a month. The 2022 Commonwealth Games were another missed opportunity for Chopra, as a groin injury forced him to withdraw from the tournament in Birmingham. His career took an even more significant turn in 2019, when a right elbow injury requiring surgery led to a 16-month competitive hiatus before his triumphant return in January 2020.
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