The National Times - Ankle ligament tear ends Neeraj Chopra’s 2026 season

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Ankle ligament tear ends Neeraj Chopra’s 2026 season

SPORTS 29.08.2026

Ankle ligament tear ends Neeraj Chopra’s 2026 season

Neeraj Chopra will miss the Asian Games, the Diamond League final and the remainder of 2026 after tearing an ankle ligament in training.

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The 28-year-old javelin thrower announced the injury after producing a season-best performance at the Lausanne Diamond League. He said the result had restored momentum after a demanding first half of the year, but the ligament tear occurred shortly afterward. Following discussions with his physician and team, he decided to stop competing for the season.

The withdrawal removes one of India’s leading medal prospects from the Asian Games in Japan. It also rules Chopra out of the Diamond League final in Brussels on September 5, for which he had qualified.

Chopra said the timing was disappointing because he felt close to regaining his rhythm, but his priority was a full recovery and stronger return. He thanked supporters for their messages.

Chopra won Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021, silver at the Paris Games in 2024 and the world title in Budapest in 2023. He recently earned Commonwealth Games silver behind Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga.

S.Ross--TNT

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