Explained: Why Neeraj Chopra's road to CWG 2026 gold could be difficult
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra faces a challenging path to the 2026 Commonwealth Games due to injury recovery and a highly competitive field of rivals. Athletes like Arshad Nadeem and Anderson Peters are pushing the performance standards, making the upcoming competition a significant test for Chopra.
Why it matters
It highlights the intense global competition in athletics and the physical toll on elite athletes returning from long-term injuries.
NEW DELHI: Neeraj Chopra walks into the Commonwealth Games 2026 as India’s biggest athletics hope, but this may be far from a routine title defence. The Olympic champion and former world champion is returning to the Games after an eight-year gap, and the men’s javelin field in Glasgow is significantly stronger than the one he conquered in Gold Coast in 2018.Back then, Neeraj won gold with an 86.47m throw and looked a class apart. This time, he enters Scotstoun Stadium with questions around form, fitness and the depth of the competition. He missed Birmingham 2022 due to injury, and his 2026 season only began recently after recovering from a back problem.His first outing of the year at the Doha Diamond League showed both promise and rust. Neeraj produced a best throw of 85.69m, briefly moved into medal contention, but eventually finished fourth after two foul throws.
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