Neeraj Chopra, India’s star javelin thrower and reigning Olympic champion, will miss the upcoming 63rd Ostrava Golden Spike athletics meet in Czechia due to an injury. The event is scheduled for May 28th. This injury scare right ahead of the Paris Olympics is every Indian fans’ worst nightmare.
“Due to an injury that he sustained in training two weeks ago (abductor muscle), he will not be able to throw in Ostrava,” the organisers said in a statement.
Muscle strain forces Neeraj Chopra out
Organisers confirmed Neeraj Chopra absence in a statement, citing an abductor muscle injury sustained during training two weeks ago. This setback prevents him from competing in Ostrava.
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Neeraj Chopra to Attend Ostrava Golden Spike meet
Despite missing the competition, Neeraj Chopra is still expected to be present at the Ostrava Golden Spike. He will be there in a guest capacity, as he recovers for his next scheduled competition.
This isn’t the first time a muscle injury has forced Chopra to pull out of the Ostrava Golden Spike. He was also forced to withdraw from the 2023 edition due to similar issues.
European Champion takes Neeraj Chopra place
German javelin thrower Julian Weber will step in as Chopra’s replacement. Weber recently impressed with a throw of 88.37m, the third-best performance globally this year.
Looking Ahead: Focus on Paavo Nurmi Games
While Ostrava is out of the picture, Chopra’s sights remain set on upcoming events. He is expected to compete in the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland, on June 18th.
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Strong Start to Season for Neeraj Chopra
Despite the setback, Chopra has had a promising start to his 2024 season. He secured a silver medal at the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 88.36m, ranking as the ninth-best throw of his career. He also claimed gold at the National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar with a throw of 82.27m.
Fans will be eagerly awaiting Chopra’s return to competitive action at the Paavo Nurmi Games and hope to see him continue his impressive form.