Neeraj Chopra's Commonwealth Games Participation Hinges on June Performance

Neeraj Chopra's potential inclusion in the Commonwealth Games is uncertain as he prepares to return to competition in June following a back injury. Chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair emphasizes that his performance will be crucial for selection. Meanwhile, long-distance runner Gulveer Singh is emerging as a strong contender, having set national records, while other athletes like Parul Chaudhary and Avinash Sable face their own challenges. Despite these hurdles, Nair remains hopeful about India's medal prospects in upcoming events.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 23, 2026, 20:10 IST

Neeraj Chopra's Road to Recovery

Neeraj Chopra, the javelin thrower who has clinched both Olympic gold and silver medals, may still secure a spot on India's team for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. However, his selection will be contingent upon his performance upon returning to competition in June, as stated by chief national coach Radhakrishnan Nair on Saturday. Neeraj, who is recovering from a back injury, is set to commence training in Bienne, Switzerland, starting Monday, and has yet to compete this season.

Having undergone rehabilitation in Turkiye, there are concerns regarding his readiness for a busy international schedule that includes the Asian Games. During the Federation Cup athletics meet at Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, which serves as the final qualifying event for the Commonwealth Games, Nair emphasized that Neeraj's return will be closely observed before any decisions are made by the selectors. He remarked, “Neeraj doesn’t have any back issues. He’ll be competing (in June). If he performs well, we will definitely select him, provided he outshines the athletes here.”

Nair was also cautious when discussing whether Neeraj, who missed the 2022 Commonwealth Games, could handle both the Glasgow CWG and the Asian Games later this year, stating, “Let’s see how he performs in June.”

Gulveer Singh Shines as a Strong Contender

While Neeraj's situation garners significant attention, Nair expressed greater confidence in long-distance runner Gulveer Singh, who holds national records in the 5000m and 10000m events. Nair noted, “Gulveer has already performed. He did much better than anybody who performed in India,” positioning him as a top contender in the competitive Commonwealth Games landscape.

Additionally, steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary remains a strong candidate after clocking 9:12.84 at the Diamond League in China, a time that is close to her national record. Nair remarked, “Parul recently clocked 9:12.84, the second-best time ever by an Indian woman. The selection committee can decide about her CWG participation.”

On the other hand, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Avinash Sable is unlikely to participate in the Glasgow CWG due to ongoing rehabilitation from a recurring injury. Although Sable had hoped to return by July, Nair confirmed that he has not yet received medical clearance, stating, “Sable is not fit right now. But, he’s confident that he’ll be fit for the Asian Games.”

Optimism for India's Medal Prospects

Despite the injury challenges faced by some of India's top athletes, Nair remains optimistic about the country's overall medal prospects, particularly in field events. He expressed hope for success in jumps, including triple jump and long jump, and highlighted that men’s javelin is a strong event for India, suggesting that they could have up to three participants. “We’ve better chances in the Asian Games,” Nair concluded.