- Big news for India
- Neeraj Chopra will play in Asian Games 2026
- Information provided by AFI
India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will participate in the Asian Games 2026 in Japan in September-October this year. Athletics Federation of India (AFI) selection committee chairman Adil Sumariwala gave official information about this. He has recently returned to the Doha Diamond League after an injury. He had to settle for fourth place in this competition. The 28-year-old, who is a two-time Olympic medalist, will be in the spotlight.
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He suffered a lower back injury before the Tokyo World Championships in September 2025. He then made a late start to the season and competed in the Doha Diamond League, where he finished fourth with a best throw of 85.69m. Neeraj had already confirmed his participation in the Commonwealth Games, but he had not said anything about his participation in the Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4.
Neeraj Chopra ready for Asian Games
The Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4. Neeraj Chopra will have a challenge to defend his gold medal successfully. Regarding Naraj Chopra’s participation, Adil Sumariwala said, ‘Yes, Neeraj will participate in both Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. He has already qualified and is now recovering from injury. He threw 85.69m in his first competition, which is a good performance. Neeraj had won the gold medal with a throw of 88 meters (88.88 m) at the previous Asian Games in China and now he is close to 86 m. So, we see no reason why he will not do well in both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.’
The AFI selection committee is expected to announce the Indian squad for the Asian Games on Sunday, the final day of the ongoing National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship. Neeraj Chopra may face a tough challenge in Japan. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has crossed the 90m mark this year and won two Diamond League titles. Olympic champion Nadeem is also likely to join the race, making the competition fierce. However, he withdrew from the Doha Diamond League on June 19.
Neeraj Chopra will take the decision
Neeraj Chopra has already been included in the 32-member Indian squad for the Commonwealth Games. The AFI has left it entirely up to Neeraj to decide whether to compete in any other event before the Games to be held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2. Vice President of World Athletics Sumariwala said, ‘We have left this decision to him. His medical team, his coaches and everyone else will sit down together and decide what competitions will be best for him. The main thing was to qualify, which he has done.’
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