Neeraj Chopra's 2026 season has ended early after the Olympic and world champion suffered a ligament tear in his ankle during training, ruling him out of both the 2026 Asian Games and the Diamond League final in Brussels on September 4-5.
What happened
The injury came just days after Chopra looked to be finding his best form of the season. Competing in Lausanne on August 27, he threw a season-best 88.05m to finish second, missing the top spot by only nine centimetres. Shortly after that competition, during a training session, he sustained the ligament tear that has now forced him out for the rest of 2026.
"After a period of hard work, I finally felt I was gaining momentum," Chopra said in his statement. "Unfortunately, shortly after, I sustained a ligament tear in my ankle during training." He added that the decision to withdraw came after consulting his doctor and support team, and that his "focus now is on recovering well and coming back even stronger."
His 2026 Diamond League season in numbers
- Doha (June 2026): 4th place, 85.69m
- Lausanne (August 2026): 2nd place, 88.05m — his season-best throw
- Points total: 12, enough to rank 6th in the overall standings and qualify for the final
That qualification is now academic. Chopra will not travel to Brussels, ending a run in which he had reached the Diamond League final in five consecutive seasons — winning the title in 2022 and finishing runner-up in each of the following three years.
What this means for the Asian Games and Diamond League Final
Chopra's withdrawal is a blow on two fronts. The 2026 Asian Games run from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and India's javelin campaign there loses its biggest medal certainty. The Diamond League final in Brussels on September 4-5 also goes ahead without him, closing out his season without the shot at a second Diamond League title he looked to be building toward in Lausanne.
Not yet confirmed: Chopra's team has not given a specific recovery timeline or return date beyond the end of the 2026 season. Any target events for 2027 have not been announced.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury does Neeraj Chopra have?
A ligament tear in his ankle, sustained during a training session shortly after the Lausanne Diamond League meet in late August 2026.
Is Neeraj Chopra playing in the 2026 Asian Games?
No. He has withdrawn from the Games, which run September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, to recover from his ankle injury.
Will Neeraj Chopra compete in the 2026 Diamond League final?
No. Despite qualifying for the final in Brussels on September 4-5 with 12 points from the season, he has withdrawn due to injury.
What was Neeraj Chopra's best throw in the 2026 Diamond League season?
88.05m, a season-best thrown in Lausanne in late August 2026, where he finished second.
How many Diamond League finals has Neeraj Chopra reached?
Five consecutive finals, winning the title in 2022 and finishing runner-up in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
When will Neeraj Chopra return to competition?
Not yet confirmed. He has said his focus is on recovering fully, but no specific return date or timeline has been announced.