Neeraj Chopra Leads India's Javelin Hopes at Commonwealth Games

As the Commonwealth Games kick off, Neeraj Chopra leads India's athletics team in a quest for medals, facing fierce competition in men's javelin. Alongside him, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare are also strong contenders for gold. With hopes of surpassing their previous medal tally, the Indian team is set to compete against world-class athletes. The opening day promises excitement as several Indian athletes aim for podium finishes. Will they achieve their goals in Glasgow? Read on to find out more about their journey and challenges ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 26, 2026, 14:42 IST

Neeraj Chopra's Challenge in Men's Javelin

Neeraj Chopra is set to compete against reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan and Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage in a highly anticipated men's javelin event as India aims to surpass its previous medal tally in Commonwealth Games athletics, starting this Monday.

In addition to Chopra, India has strong contenders for gold, including long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, who secured a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, who recently established a national record with a jump of 2.31m.

The Indian athletics team is optimistic about winning two medals each in men's javelin, long jump, high jump, and triple jump, along with podium finishes in the men's 10,000m, decathlon, and women's 10,000m race walk.

Events like the men's 100m hurdles and shot put, as well as the women's 3000m steeplechase, could also contribute to India's medal count, potentially exceeding the eight medals (1 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) achieved in Birmingham.

However, the competition is fierce, with many events featuring world-class athletes.

Chopra has been dealing with a lower back injury since September 2025, which delayed his season start at the Doha Diamond League on June 19, where he finished fourth with a throw of 85.69m, below his usual standards.

After a month of rehabilitation and training in Bienne, Switzerland, the 28-year-old two-time Olympic champion is eager to replicate his gold medal performance from the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. He arrived in Glasgow on Friday from Switzerland.

Chopra's gold-winning throw in Gold Coast was 86.47m, and he missed the 2022 Games due to injury.

Indian athletics head coach Radhakrishnan Nair is hopeful that the 32-member team will surpass the previous edition's eight-medal haul, stating that Chopra is in 'perfect physical shape.'

Nonetheless, Chopra faces tough competition in a star-studded field, with the men's javelin qualifying round scheduled for July 30 and the final the following day.

Star-Studded Javelin Field in Glasgow

The Glasgow men's javelin field is comparable to that of the Olympics and World Championships, featuring nearly all top global javelin athletes except for Curtis Thompson from the USA and Julian Weber from Germany.

Alongside Chopra, Nadeem, and Pathirage, competitors include reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago, 2022 CWG silver medalist Anderson Peters from Grenada, and Julius Yego from Kenya.

India's Rohit Yadav is also in contention, currently ranked second among Commonwealth season leaders with a throw of 87.05m last month. He is considered a strong medal contender, along with Yashvir Singh, the third Indian participant.

Pathirage is favored for gold, being the only athlete this season to surpass 90m with a throw of 92.62m, which earned him the Rome Diamond League title. He has three additional throws over 88m and has won two Diamond League titles this season.

Nadeem, however, has been struggling, entering the Games with a disappointing throw of 78.47m at Luzern, Switzerland, on July 16. Peters has a season-best of 86.38m, having won the Rabat Diamond League title in May with a throw of 86.08m. Walcott, at 33, has yet to find his peak form, with a season-best of 83.45m.

Sreeshankar and Tejaswin Eye Medals

Sreeshankar leads the Commonwealth long jump season chart with his 8.38m jump last month, while Jamaica's Wayne Pinnock (8.39m) has opted to send Tajay Gayle (8.37m) instead. The 27-year-old aims for his second Commonwealth medal, having previously won silver in the 2022 Birmingham Games.

Lokesh Sathyanathan, another Indian long jumper, could also contend for a medal with his season-best jump of 8.21m.

The men's high jump will feature the top six Commonwealth season leaders, including Kushare and England's Kimani Jack, both having cleared 2.31m. Reigning Olympic champion Hamish Kerr from New Zealand (SB: 2.28m), Jamaica's Romaine Beckford (SB: 2.30m), and Australia's Yual Reath (SB: 2.28m) will also compete.

Aadarsh Ram (SB: 2.27m) and Tejaswin (SB: 2.26m), whose national record was recently surpassed by Kushare, will also participate in the high jump.

Tejaswin's primary medal opportunity lies in the decathlon, where he holds the national record and is currently ranked second in the Commonwealth season standings, just behind 2014 CWG and Tokyo Olympics champion Damian Warner from Canada, who is also competing in Glasgow.

In the men's triple jump, national record holder Praveen Chitravel (SB: 17.08m) and Selva Prabhu (SB: 17.05m) are both in contention for medals, trailing world indoor silver medalist Jordan Scott (SB: 17.69m) from Jamaica, who is favored to win gold.

In track events, including sprints, many Indian athletes are currently ranked lower. Men's 100m hurdler Tejas Shirse is expected to reach the finals and could potentially win a medal if he improves upon his season-best and national record of 13.27 seconds.

Exciting Opening Day Ahead

India's first athletics medal could come from Kushare on Monday, with Shirse also set to compete.

Sreeshankar and Sathyanathan will participate in the men's long jump qualifying rounds, while Pooja Singh will compete in the women's high jump. National record holder Gurindervir Singh will also race in the 100m round 1 on Monday.