Neeraj Chopra’s exclusion from the 2022 Commonwealth Games has come out as a massive blow to the Indian contingent who are hoping for a great show at the upcoming event. The Indian Olympic Gold winner has pulled out of the multi-sport event due to a thigh injury sustained in the recently concluded World Athletics Championship in Oregon.
Chopra, who bagged Silver at the WAC 2022, with a throw of 88.13m sustained the injury on his fourth throw in the finals. In a show of great sportsmanship, the Gold winner from the World Athletics Championship final Anderson Peters has come out in support of his ‘friend and rival’ Chopra on Twitter.
Taking to the social media platform, Grenada’s javelin star posted a picture of him shaking hands with Chopra with a caption, “I’m so sorry to hear that my friend and rival Neeraj Chopra will not be attempting to defend his commonwealth games title because of injury. I really hope you can recover quickly so that we can meet and continue completing an a high level for the sport of javelin.”
I’m so sorry to hear that my friend and rival @Neeraj_chopra1 will not be attempting to defend his commonwealth games title because of injury. I really hope you can recover quickly so that we can meet and continue completing an a high level for the sport of javelin. pic.twitter.com/fX5D4GdG9d
— Anderson Peters Oly (@peters_oly) July 27, 2022
Anderson Peters with a throw of 90.46m won the Gold medal in the final of the World Athletics Championship last week and is the favourite to win at the 2022 Commonwealth Games as well.
Earlier, Rajiv Mehta, Indian Olympic Association Secretary General confirmed the news of Chopra’s exclusion from the Commonwealth Games with a statement.
“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,” Mehta had told media.
Twitter was rightfully touched by Anderson Peters’ gesture and showered the Javelin star with praise. Many also wished him a good showing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Let’s look at some of the reactions on Twitter.
Spoken like the champ you are Andy. Get well soon Chopra because when you two go at it, there's only one winner, us the fans.
— James Anderson (@JamesLeslie123) July 27, 2022
Great to see such sportsmanship..All the best for CWG @peters_oly? Praying for your speedy recovery @Neeraj_chopra1 ?
— Kaberi Medhi (@KaberiMedhi1) July 27, 2022
Thanks for the kind gesture champion , best wishes for the CWG , I don't think you have any competition now at CWG and GOLD belongs to you. Best of luck.
— tarunjain.eth (@NuffinSerious) July 27, 2022
Sums up the beauty of javelin and field events generally. Intense rivalry and competition but great friendship too ??
— Nurmi1924 (@1924Nurmi) July 27, 2022
Wishing both of y'all raise the quality of the sport like Federer/Nadal & Djokovic did to Tennis??. Jan Železný's World Record will be under threat in the coming years for sure.
— Vishwamitra (@Vishwamitra24) July 28, 2022
Beauty of Sportsmanship respect for you @peters_oly
— Ajay chouhan (@CHOUHA_NAjay) July 28, 2022
Anderson Peters. Class act. pic.twitter.com/hYMbznxeMD
— Steven Mills (@srmills90) July 27, 2022
