Neeraj Chopra Faces Setback with Back Injury at World Championships

Neeraj Chopra’s attempt to defend his javelin title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo ended in disappointment as he finished eighth in a field of competitors. The Indian athlete, who achieved a historic Olympic gold medal in the same stadium in 2021, struggled with a back injury that he had kept private for several weeks. His best throw of 84.03 metres was insufficient to advance, marking a significant drop from his qualifying performance.

Competing on September 4, 2023, Chopra had high hopes as he entered the championship. However, the physical toll of the competition proved overwhelming. Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott claimed the gold medal with a throw of 88.16 metres, marking his first global title since winning Olympic gold as a teenager in 2012. Grenada’s Anderson Peters and American Curtis Thompson secured silver and bronze, respectively.

Chopra expressed his frustration following the event, stating, “I don’t understand what happened today. This has not happened for a long time. I had some problems before coming to Tokyo.” He revealed that he had been coping with back issues for two weeks, which ultimately hindered his performance. “Javelin is really tough. If you are not in a good shape, you’re out,” he added.

The 25-year-old athlete explained that he sustained his back injury shortly before the championships and underwent an MRI scan to assess the damage. Although he had qualified for the finals with his first throw, he was clearly not at full capacity. “Maybe I need more training or to improve my technique. Maybe I just need more time for training,” Chopra reflected.

Despite the disappointment, Chopra remains optimistic about his future in the sport. He plans to analyze his performance and improve his technique in upcoming training sessions. “I will go back to my room, watch the competition, and check on my throws. I will work on it,” he said, emphasizing his determination to learn from this challenging experience.

Chopra’s journey in Tokyo serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports, where physical challenges can derail even the most prepared athletes. As he looks ahead, maintaining focus on his health and technique will be crucial for his continued success on the international stage.