India’s top javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is currently taking a break to recover from injuries after a disappointing outing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Chopra, who breached the 90-metre mark last season, finished eighth in the 12-man field — a rare off-podium result that surprised fans. He failed to make the final round and was eliminated after his first three throws, managing a best effort of 84.03m, well below his season best of 90.23m.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI) spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla said Chopra was carrying two injuries heading into the competition, which significantly affected his performance. “He is taking a break and recovering from his injuries. He had two injuries,” Sumariwalla said on Saturday while announcing the qualification standards for the Asian Games. “The focus right now is on rehabilitation. That is the most important thing.”
Sumariwalla praised Chopra for competing despite his physical condition, revealing that the federation had advised him against participating. “Hats off to him that he took part in the World Championships. I have seen his injury, the swelling, and still he competed. We told him not to, but he said, ‘No sir, I will try’. He never once said that he couldn’t throw because of injury,” he said.
Calling Chopra a rare athlete, Sumariwalla also criticised armchair criticism directed at the Olympic champion. “There is only one Neeraj Chopra. People who haven’t achieved a fraction of what he has talk a lot, but this young man never complains. Hats off to him,” he added.
Chopra exempted from Asian Games qualification
The AFI also released the qualifying standards for the Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan later this year. Athletes will be required to compete in state meets or at least two AFI-organised events to be eligible for selection, unless granted special permission.
The National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, to be held in Bhubaneswar from July 8 to 12, will serve as the final major domestic event before the Asian Games, which run from September 19 to October 4. Chopra will be the only athlete exempted from the domestic qualification process for Asian Games selection, the federation confirmed.
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