Neeraj Chopra ruled out of Asian Games after 2026 season ended with ankle ligament tear

Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out for the rest of the 2026 season after tearing ligaments in his ankle during training. The injury ruled the two-time Olympic medalist out of the Asian Games and Diamond League finals, bringing his campaign to a premature end just when he appeared to be finding his rhythm.

Chopra showed encouraging signs at the Lausanne Diamond League, producing a season-best throw in what was his third competitive outing of the year. In an Instagram post on August 29, Chopra confirmed that the injury has forced him and his team to put some time into their season.

“Unfortunately, I tore a ligament in my ankle during training shortly after.

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

The 28-year-old returned to competition in June at the Diamond League in Doha after a long injury lay-off, finishing fourth with a throw of 85.69m. He then claimed silver in Glasgow with an effort of 85.83m, before producing his season-best finish in Lausanne.

SHORT CUT OF NEERAJ CHOPRA’S SEASON

Chopra’s comeback season offered mixed results. His performance in Glasgow ensured a place on the podium, but he was beaten to the gold by Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage, who produced a mammoth throw of 89.75m.

Lausanne was expected to be an important step towards the Asian Games, where Chopra was expected to lead India’s medal hopes. Instead, it will now mark his final competitive appearance in 2026.

The injury also ends his hopes of participating in the Diamond League finals. Chopra climbed to seventh in the standings and was fighting for qualification before his season was brought to an abrupt halt.

Chopra admitted the timing of the setback was particularly frustrating after he felt his form was beginning to converge.

“It’s disappointing, especially because I felt close to finding my rhythm. But as they say, setbacks are part of the journey.”

A MAJOR BLOW TO INDIA’S ASIAN GAMES HOPES

Chopra’s absence will be a significant setback for India ahead of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Games begin on September 19 and run until October 4, with Chopra now missing out on the opportunity to defend his men’s javelin title.

With the two-time Olympic medalist out, the pressure in the javelin event will now shift towards Rohit Yadav. Yadav recently achieved a personal best of 87.68m to win the World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar, a mark that established him as India’s leading javelin thrower behind Chopra.

For Chopra, recovery rather than competition is the immediate priority. The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games begin on September 19 and India is now set to enter the men’s javelin event without its biggest medal contender.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

29 Aug 2026 14:25 IST