Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra remains in rehabilitation mode following a nagging back injury that derailed his campaign at the 2025 World Athletics Championships
in Tokyo.
The 28-year-old javelin star, who settled for a disappointing eighth-place finish with a best throw of 84.03 meters, is prioritizing full recovery over a premature return to the circuit, according to Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officials.
Chopra's coach, Czech legend Jan Zelezny, is meticulously overseeing his calendar as the ace thrower battles the injury sustained during preparations for the September event. AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla emphasized the cautious approach.
"His calendar is with his coach Jan Zelezny. Right now the focus is on his rehabilitation from the injury and not the season opener," he said.
This comes after revelations that Chopra pushed through concealed pain in Tokyo, embodying his commitment to India despite the setback.
The injury overshadowed what could have been another medal haul for Chopra, who owns Olympic gold from Tokyo 2020 and a silver from Paris 2024. As 2026 unfolds, fans await the moment this javelin maestro reclaims his throne, balancing ambition with health in a crowded global calendar.
