India's Neeraj Chopra ruled out of Commonwealth Games: Details here
In a major blow to the Indian contingent, javelin star Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG). As per ANI, the 24-year-old is yet to achieve full fitness after he got injured in the finals of World Athletic Championship, where he secured the silver medal. Rajeev Mehta, Secretary General of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), informed about the development.
A look at the key details
Chopra suffered a groin injury during the World Championship final on Saturday. The Indian athlete underwent an MRI scan thereafter. According to Rajeev Mehta, Chopra has been advised one-month rest by the doctors. "I was informed by the Athletics Federation of India that Neeraj is not 100% fit. He had injured his groin and after scans," Mehta told The Indian Express.
Chopra scripted history at World Athletics Championships
Last week, Chopra clinched the silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon (men's javelin throw final). The 24-year-old finished second with a best throw of 88.13m. Meanwhile, Grenada's Anderson Peters won the gold medal (90.54m). Chopra became only the second Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships after long jumper Anju Bobby George (bronze in 2003).
How did he fare in the final?
Chopra started his campaign in the final with a foul throw. He then registered 82.39m in his second attempt before improving to 86.37m in his third. Chopra, who was at the fourth spot, climbed to second by recording a throw of 88.13m in his fourth attempt. This secured him the silver medal. He registered foul throws in his fifth and sixth attempts.
Chopra was India's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony (CWG)
Chopra, the Tokyo Games gold-medalist, was picked as India's flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Mehta informed that the "decision on the new flag-bearer will be taken soon in consultation with other IOA office-bearers".
India's hopes rest on DP Manu and Rohit Yadav
Chopra was backed to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games (javelin throw). He would have entered the Games as the defending champion, having won gold in Gold Coast (2018). India's DP Manu and Rohit Yadav would want to have a podium finish in the absence of Chopra. However, they will face World Champion Peters and the 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott.
A look at Chopra's notable achievements
Earlier this month, Chopra broke his national record at the Stockholm Diamond League (89.94m). In 2021, Chopra won gold at Meeting Cidade de Lisboa (83.18m) and the Folksam Grand Prix in Sweden (80.96m). Chopra then became the second Indian to clinch an individual Olympic gold (Tokyo Games) after former shooter Abhinav Bindra. The former had claimed Independent India's first medal in athletics.
