In a big blow to the Indian contingent, India’s Golden Boy Neeraj Chopra will not be seen at the Commonwealth Games 2022. The Javelin Thrower is set to miss the marquee event due to a thigh injury that he sustained during World Athletics Championship 2022.
“He (Neeraj Chopra) is not fit as he got injured in the finals of World Athletics Championships. He informed us about this,” Rajeev Mehta, IOA Secretary General, told ANI confirming the omission of India’s star athlete from CWG 2022.
Neeraj Chopra was the current defending champion of the Commonwealth Games Javelin Throw event as the 24-year-old had won the Gold at the 2018 edition of the Games in Gold Coast.
The sad news comes just days after Chopra had added another feather to his cap by winning a silver medal in the men’s Javelin Throw event of the World Athletics Championship 2022 at Eugene, Oregon.
In his fourth attempt, the Olympic gold-medallist managed to record a throw of 88.13m and became only the second Indian athlete to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships. After his victory, Neeraj hinted at a possible injury he might’ve sustained after his final throw as he felt some tightness on his thigh after the fourth throw.
“I thought even the fourth throw could have gone farther. After that, I felt something on my thigh and could not do my best in the next two. I had strapping (on the thigh). I will know the status tomorrow morning because my body is still warm after the event. I hope there should not be any issue for the upcoming events, Commonwealth Games,” he had said post his historic win at the global event.
Rajeev Mehta, IOA Secretary General, confirmed the omission of India’s star athlete from CWG 2022.
“Team India javelin thrower Mr. Neeraj Chopra had called me earlier today from the US to convey his inability to take part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games owing to fitness concerns. Following his participation in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Mr. Chopra had an MRI scan done on Monday and, based on it, he has been advised a month’s rest by his medical team”. Rajeev Mehta told ABP News.
Neeraj’s absence from the Commonwealth Games will be a major blow for India as the athlete was on a roll after his gold medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics last year. The nation was right behind the Javelin Thrower as they expected another gold from him. The 24-year-old became an overnight star in India after he bagged gold at the Tokyo Olympics last year becoming only the second athlete from the nation to win an individual Gold medal at the Olympics.
