Neeraj Chopra will miss the 2026 Asian Games and the rest of the athletics season after suffering a ligament tear in his ankle during training, dealing a major blow to India’s medal hopes.
The two-time Olympic medallist announced his withdrawal on Saturday, August 29, saying he had decided to sit out the remainder of the 2026 season after consulting his doctor and support team.
The injury comes at a frustrating point in Chopra’s campaign. The star javelin thrower had recently shown signs of returning to his best form at the Lausanne Diamond League, where he produced a season-best throw.
Neeraj Chopra Suffers Ankle Ligament Tear
Chopra said the injury occurred shortly after his performance in Lausanne.
“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,” he said in a social media post.
He then revealed that he suffered a ligament tear in his ankle during training.
Following discussions with his medical team and those around him, Chopra decided that continuing to compete this season would not be the right choice.
The 28-year-old athlete admitted that the decision was disappointing, particularly because he felt his form was beginning to come together.
However, Chopra said his priority now is recovery and returning to competition stronger.
Asian Games 2026: Major Blow For India
Chopra’s absence is a significant setback for India ahead of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
The Asian Games are scheduled to begin on September 19 and continue until October 4. Chopra was expected to be one of India’s biggest medal contenders in athletics.
He won the men’s javelin gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and was also the defending champion after winning gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
With Chopra now ruled out, India will have to look to other athletes to challenge for the javelin medal.
Diamond League Final Also Missed
The ankle injury will also keep Chopra out of the Diamond League Final in Brussels, scheduled for September 5.
Chopra had qualified for the prestigious season-ending competition and was seventh in the Diamond League standings.
His withdrawal therefore brings his 2026 competitive season to an early end.
The setback comes after Chopra had returned to competition following a lengthy injury layoff.
He began his 2026 campaign at the Doha Diamond League, where he finished fourth with an 85.69-metre throw. He then won silver in Glasgow with an 85.83-metre effort before improving further in Lausanne.
Chopra Focuses On Comeback
Despite the disappointment, Chopra has made it clear that his immediate priority is rehabilitation.
The Olympic champion has repeatedly battled injuries during his career but has also built a reputation for returning strongly from setbacks.
His latest injury means Indian fans will have to wait longer to see him compete again.
For now, Chopra’s focus is recovery rather than competition. His message to fans was one of optimism as he looks towards making a strong return after completing his rehabilitation.
The Asian Games will go ahead without one of India’s biggest athletics stars, while the country’s javelin hopes will now rest on the other members of its squad.
