Just ahead of the Commonwealth Games, Indian fans face a severe heartbreak as their ace Neeraj Chopra withdraws from the global event. The Javelin thrower who won the historic silver medal at the World Athletics Championship complained of a pain in his thigh during the fourth throw in Oregon.
He later went for scans and according to the doctors in the United States he is told to rest as it is a strain and it will take a few weeks to get back in shape. So it means India will be without their biggest star at the global event in Birmingham which will start from July 28.
It is surely a blow as Neeraj Chopra who was about to defend his gold medal at the Commonwealth Games will not be able to participate. So not having him among the other Indian athletes will be a major blow for the Indian contingent who are aiming to better their more than decent performance from the 2018 outing in Gold Coast.
The Indian fans were ecstatic with him as he won the historic World Athletics Championship silver medal. He became the second ever Indian to win a medal at this event after long jumper Anju Bobby George who did it back in 2003.
The Indian Olympic Association’s Rajeev Mehta has made the news official about Neeraj Chopra’s absence. “Team India javelin thrower Mr. Neeraj Chopra had called me earlier today from the US to convey his inability to take part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games owing to fitness concerns. Following his participation in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Mr. Chopra had an MRI scan done on Monday and, based on it, he has been advised a month’s rest by his medical team.”
Later Neeraj Chopra also came up with a heartfelt message on his social media handles sharing the heart breaking news as he was very hyped to lead India at the Commonwealth Games. But it is something that’s a part of an athlete’s life and for bigger events in future, this looks like a good decision.
However now it is an opportunity for the other Indian athletes to keep their focus amid sad news and prove their credentials at the global stage. Even javelin throwers like DP Manu and Rohit Yadav should also get motivated and see this as an opportunity to shine in their teammate’s absence.
