Chopra out of Asian Games

Ankle injury ends javelin star’s season

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out for the rest of the 2026 season after suffering an ankle ligament tear in training, forcing the two-time Olympic medallist to miss next month's Asian Games in Japan.

Chopra, who returned to competition in June after a lower-back injury, said on Saturday that he had taken the decision after consulting his doctor and team.

“Unfortunately, shortly after, I sustained a ligament tear in my ankle during training,” Chopra said in a post on X.

“After discussions with my doctor and team, we’ve decided that I will sit out the rest of this season.”

The injury also rules him out of the Diamond League Finals in Brussels on September 5 and the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest from September 11-13.

The setback comes just as Chopra appeared to be regaining his form. He won silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with a throw of 85.83 metres before producing a season's best 88.05m at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21.

“It’s disappointing, especially because I felt close to finding my rhythm,” Chopra said. “But as they say, setbacks are a part of the journey. My focus now is on recovering well and coming back even stronger.”

Chopra had collected 12 Diamond League points during the season, including a fourth-place finish in Doha and second in Lausanne, securing sixth place in the overall standings and qualification for the final.

His season had already been disrupted by a lower-back problem that delayed his return until June. The latest injury now brings his campaign to an early end and leaves Chopra facing another period of rehabilitation.