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Asian Games 2026 will feature India’s men’s javelin throw contingent without its biggest name, Neeraj Chopra. The defending champion was originally expected to return to Aichi-Nagoya to defend the gold medal he won in Hangzhou in 2023. However, an ankle ligament injury sustained during training forced the Olympic and world champion to end his 2026 season early.
India will instead rely on Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh as the javelin event takes centre stage.
Neeraj Chopra Injury Update: Why Is Indian Javelin Thrower Not Participating At Asian Games 2026?
Neeraj Chopra is missing the Asian Games 2026 due to a ligament tear in his ankle suffered during training following the Lausanne Diamond League. The injury came just as Chopra was finding his rhythm, with an 88.05m season-best throw in Lausanne, his strongest mark of the campaign.
Chopra announced that, following discussions with his medical team, he would sit out the remainder of the season. That decision ruled him out of both the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
The withdrawal means Chopra cannot defend the Asian Games title he won in Hangzhou in 2023 with 88.88m. He had also been the 2018 Asian Games champion, making his absence particularly significant for India’s javelin campaign.
Indians in Asian Games 2026 Men’s Javelin Throw
India will field Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh in the men’s javelin throw. Both secured the Asian Games qualifying mark at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, where Rohit produced 87.05m and Yashvir recorded 83.72m.
Rohit enters the competition with substantial international experience and has crossed the 80m barrier consistently, while Yashvir has also established himself among India’s leading throwers. Their inclusion gives India two legitimate contenders as the country looks to maintain its strong record in the event.
Chopra’s absence nevertheless changes the complexion of India’s campaign. The focus now shifts to the next generation of Indian throwers, with both Rohit and Yashvir carrying the national javelin challenge in Aichi-Nagoya.