It was disheartening to read a social media post from javelin legend Neeraj Chopra on Saturday (August 29) revealing that he had sustained an ankle injury and would be . There were three important assignments on the horizon for Neeraj, an Indian icon in every sense who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and silver at the Paris Olympics three years later.
For the 28-year-old Haryanvi, who has won billions of hearts at home with his spectacular, never-before-seen performances in Indian athletics, the tag of a legend fits him perfectly. Neeraj has not only won medals at the Summer Olympics but also at multiple editions of the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, as well as World Athletics’ blue-riband meets since 2018. Yet, if you have listened to Neeraj’s press conferences over the last two years, there seems to be a sense of apprehension. Neeraj himself has spoken about how he feels increasingly worried before competitions these days.
Before anyone thinks I am being critical of Neeraj, no way. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with him in Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games in July-August. Neeraj’s preparation was top-class and sincere. He put in every effort to prepare for the big event he had first won in 2018. Not a big fan of cold weather, Neeraj protected himself well. When he met the media outside the hotel in Glasgow, Neeraj was wrapped in woollen layers. Then again, during his training and in between throws, Neeraj would quickly jump into track pants and a jacket to stay warm.
It is not easy in blustery conditions for any athlete from India to train and prepare for the big day. Someone like Tejaswin Shankar had problems with his knee in the individual high jump. How he recovered in less than three days to be ready for the gruelling decathlon event was magic. The work done by Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, Wayne Lombard and the physios was amazing. Tejaswin went through 10 events, as fans watched in awe, and he won a bronze medal, totalling 7,976 points, in Glasgow.
Shaky Comeback
In the case of Neeraj, he was a bit hesitant in Glasgow. Having missed the previous edition of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, he was keen to make amends this year. Despite looking rusty after missing almost half of the season due to a long injury recovery, Neeraj threw 85.83 metres for silver, well behind rising Sri Lankan star Rumesh Pathirage’s gold-medal-winning throw of 89.75 metres.
For sure, Neeraj was happy with his silver medal and spoke at length about how he had to do well in the packed season. What, however, was surprising was that he spoke of some kind of fear before the competition.
One would expect that each time Neeraj has the javelin in his hand, accelerates on the runway and then flings it, he will produce a magical distance. He did that on August 21 in Lausanne (Diamond League), when he had a season-best of 88.05 metres to finish second.
There has been some damage to his ankle since then, which has forced him to now take a long break, again. Official versions suggest it is a ligament injury, which will take time to heal.
Neeraj will miss the Diamond League Final in Brussels on September 5 in Brussels, the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest (September 11-13), and the Asia Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan thereafter. Though the opening ceremony is slated for September 19, Neeraj would have competed later.
Rewind to the World Championships in Tokyo last year, and Neeraj finished eighth. He competed with a back disc injury and then went on a nine-month break. It was a long absence from competition, but insiders said the plan was for Neeraj to come back stronger in 2026.
Change in style tears ankle?
If Neeraj looked in good shape in the three events this year, it was also an indicator that he had made a few adjustments to his javelin throw/release style.
Maybe, after a back injury and intense strength and conditioning, Neeraj had changed his approach, after consulting bio-mechanics experts. If that be the case, there is a chance he has hurt his ankle. Injuries are part and parcel of every athlete’s career. Some bounce back quickly and strongly, some have to manage workload.
Take the case of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, he has sustained major back injuries twice. Bio-mechanics experts who have seen Bumrah’s slinging action feel his front-foot bracing puts immense load on the back. BOOM has continued with the same approach, as its too late to change his action.
Neeraj is bound to come back stronger. Maybe, his recovery takes as much time as last year, since the ankle takes so much load. Javelin as a discipline is not easy at all. From neck to shoulder, back and lower limbs and the ankle, all parts take a beating. Neeraj is still young, so one more season being hit hard is bad news.
For all those who know the unassuming champion, he will bounce back strongly. The only doubt, after all the wear and tear over these years, is whether expecting Neeraj to be 100 per cent fit for a lifetime is a tall order.