Neeraj Chopra ruled out of 2026 Asian Games, Diamond League Finals due to ankle injury
Olympic javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn from the 2026 Asian Games and the Diamond League Finals due to a ligament tear in his ankle. The athlete plans to focus on recovery after a season hampered by recurring injuries.
Why it matters
As a prominent global athlete, Chopra's injury significantly impacts the competitive landscape of major international track and field events.
Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra announced on Saturday (August 29, 2026) that he would be sitting out the rest of the 2026 athletics season after suffering an ankle injury, thus ruling himself out of the upcoming Asian Games in Japan.
“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. Unfortunately, shortly after, I sustained a ligament tear in my ankle during training. After discussions with my doctor and team, we’ve decided that I will sit out the rest of this season,” he said in a statement released on social media.
“It’s disappointing, especially because I felt close to finding my rhythm. But as they say, setbacks are a part of the journey. My focus now is on recovering well and coming back even stronger. Thank you all for the love and support.”
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