Neeraj Chopra Out of Asian Games Athletics Squad After Ankle Injury

India’s javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra will miss the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after an ankle ligament tear ended his 2026 athletics season. The Athletics Federation of India has now brought Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Yashvir Singh into the Asian Games squad as Chopra’s replacement.

The development is a major blow to India’s athletics campaign, with Chopra having been expected to defend his Asian Games title.

Chopra’s 2026 Season Comes to an End

Chopra suffered the ankle injury during training after competing in Lausanne.

The two-time Olympic medallist had recently produced a season-best 88.05m throw in Lausanne, appearing to regain momentum after a difficult start to the season.

However, the subsequent ligament tear forced him to make the decision to withdraw from the remainder of 2026.

Chopra announced that after discussions with his medical team, he would sit out the rest of the season and focus on recovery.

His withdrawal also ruled him out of the Diamond League Final, in addition to the Asian Games.

Yashvir Singh Gets the Call

The Athletics Federation of India has selected Yashvir Singh to replace Chopra in the men's javelin team.

Yashvir comes into the Asian Games after an impressive Commonwealth Games campaign in Glasgow, where he won bronze with a personal-best throw of 85.41 metres.

He will now join Rohit Yadav, whose personal best stands at 87.05m, in India's men's javelin campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The selection gives Yashvir an opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages of his career.

Chopra Was Set to Defend His Asian Games Title

Chopra's absence is particularly significant because he is the reigning Asian Games men's javelin champion.

He won gold at the 2022 Asian Games with an 88.00m throw and followed it with another gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where he threw 88.88m.

The 2026 edition would have given Chopra another opportunity to continue his dominance at the continental level.

Instead, injury has forced him to watch the competition from the sidelines.

A Major Setback for India

Chopra's withdrawal changes India's prospects in the men's javelin event.

The Asian Games field is expected to include several strong throwers, making Chopra's absence particularly significant for India's medal ambitions.

His withdrawal also comes after an interrupted 2025–26 period. Chopra had already dealt with a lower-back injury before the 2025 World Championships and began his 2026 season later than planned.

He nevertheless managed to produce several strong performances before the latest setback.

India’s Final Athletics Squad

The Athletics Federation of India has announced a 77-member athletics squad for the Asian Games.

The final team also saw changes in other events, including the exclusion of hurdler Tejas Shirse because of a foot stress fracture and distance runner Abhishek Pal, whose selection was withdrawn while a National Anti-Doping Agency investigation continues.

The Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026.

Yashvir’s Opportunity

For Yashvir Singh, Chopra's absence creates an unexpected opportunity.

The 25-year-old javelin thrower has already shown that he can perform at a major international competition. His 85.41m Commonwealth Games throw earned him a bronze medal and established a new personal benchmark.

Now he will enter the Asian Games carrying a very different responsibility: representing India in the event traditionally led by Chopra.

Alongside him, Rohit Yadav will also be aiming to challenge for a medal.

The Focus Now Turns to Recovery

For Chopra, the priority is no longer another title in 2026 but a complete recovery.

His decision to end the season means he will miss both the Diamond League Final and Asian Games, but the withdrawal is intended to give his ankle the time required to heal properly.

The Indian javelin star now faces a period away from competition before beginning the next stage of his career.

Neeraj Chopra's absence leaves a huge gap in India's Asian Games athletics campaign — but it also opens the door for Yashvir Singh to create a defining moment of his own.

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