India has suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming Asian Games, with star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a ligament tear in his ankle during training. Chopra confirmed the development on Saturday, saying that he made the decision after consulting his doctor and support team. The injury means the two time Olympic medallist will miss both the Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya, Japan, and the Diamond League Final in Brussels. The timing of the injury makes the setback even more disappointing.

Chopra had recently appeared to be finding his rhythm at the Lausanne Diamond League, where he produced a season best throw of 88.05 metres and finished second. He had also qualified for the Diamond League Final, making the latest development particularly frustrating. Chopra had returned to competition earlier this year following a lengthy recovery from a back injury. His performances had gradually shown signs of improvement, and the Lausanne result had raised hopes that he was building momentum at the right time. The Asian Games were expected to be one of the biggest targets of his season, with Chopra among India's strongest medal contenders in athletics. His absence will now force the Indian contingent to look for another javelin thrower to carry the country's hopes in the event.

Despite the disappointment, Chopra has remained focused on making a proper recovery rather than rushing back into competition. He has indicated that his priority now is rehabilitation and returning stronger once he is fully fit. For Indian athletics, Chopra's withdrawal is a significant blow. His Olympic success and consistent performances have made him one of the country's biggest sporting stars, and his presence at major international competitions has become a major source of medal expectations. The immediate focus will now shift to his recovery. After overcoming previous injury setbacks in his career, Chopra will once again face the challenge of rebuilding his fitness and returning to the javelin runway this time with the 2027 season likely to become the next major target.