Neeraj Chopra, Olympic champion javelin thrower, has suffered an ankle ligament injury that has ruled him out of the 2026 season. The star had been making a comeback after a poor performance at his second event, the Lausanne Diamond League, where he managed only one sub-90-meter throw. He was due to compete in the Diamond League Final and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. But the injury sustained during training has sidelined him for the 2026 season. The setback is a blow to his preparations for the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon, as he had been building up speed after managing to record a Season’s Best of 88.05m at the Lausanne Diamond League. The 2026 season was set to be his best until now, but it seems to be coming to an unexpected end.
Chopra announced the development through a statement on social media, explaining the circumstances behind his withdrawal. “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. 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," he shared on X.
Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Diamond League Finals after competing in just two events
Neeraj Chopra has qualified for the 2026 Diamond League Finals in Brussels despite competing in only two Diamond League meetings this season. The Indian javelin star secured sixth place in the final standings with 12 points. The top six athletes automatically qualify for the season-ending final. Chopra earned his points through strong performances in Doha and Lausanne, finishing second at both meetings. His qualification is particularly notable because he missed three other Diamond League events while managing a lower back injury. His delayed return meant he had limited opportunities to collect points throughout the season.
Chopra’s qualification became possible after the final Diamond League meeting in Zurich concluded the standings. He also improved his season’s best to 88.05 metres at Lausanne, showing encouraging form after winning silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games with an 85.83m throw. The men’s javelin final in Brussels is scheduled for September 5. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage finished first in the standings with 39 points after competing in all five javelin Diamond League events. Pathirage won four of those competitions and finished second once. His 92.07m throw in Zurich further strengthened his position as the favourite heading into the final. Chopra’s efficient points haul therefore secured his place despite a heavily restricted season.
