Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra ends season early due to ankle injury

India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has announced the premature end to his 2026 season due to an ankle ligament tear sustained during training. The Olympic gold medalist and Paris silver medalist shared the news, stating the injury necessitates his withdrawal from further competitions.

This unfortunate development means the 28-year-old athlete will miss key events, including the prestigious Diamond League final and the Asian Games scheduled for September. The decision comes as a blow to both Chopra and his fans, who were anticipating his performances in these major championships.

Just last week, Chopra had demonstrated strong form at the Lausanne Diamond League stage. He secured second place with an impressive throw of 88.05 meters. Following that competition, he expressed on social media a feeling that his desired momentum was finally building after a period of hard work, making the current injury setback particularly disappointing.