Neeraj Chopra Reflects on Past Injuries and Prepares for Doha Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra's Journey Back to Fitness

Veteran Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra admitted that competing at last year's World Championships while dealing with a back injury was not the wisest choice. As he prepares for his season opener at the Doha Diamond League, he expressed confidence in his current fitness level.

Chopra's performance at the Tokyo World Championships in September 2025 was disappointing, finishing eighth with a throw of 84.03m. He later disclosed that he had been suffering from a lower back injury, which delayed his recovery and the start of this season.

Reflecting on his decision to compete despite the injury, the 28-year-old stated, "I had some injury last year before the Tokyo World Championship. We worked hard and participated in Tokyo, but I realize now it wasn't a good decision since I was already aware of my issues. However, it was the last competition of 2025, so I chose to compete there."

Chopra noted that injuries often lead to others, saying, "In an athlete's life, one injury can lead to another. I had issues with my ankle and shoulder, so I collaborated with my team and physio to address every concern."

As he looks forward to his return to competition, he remarked, "I feel really good and fit; let's see how it goes tomorrow."

In Doha, Chopra previously made headlines by surpassing the 90m mark under the guidance of javelin world record holder Jan Zelezny, achieving a throw of 90.23m.

However, he admitted that the throw was not his best technically, explaining, "That throw wasn't technically sound; it was fast from the arm, but if I had improved my lower body technique, I could have added two to three meters. I've reviewed the video a few times."

Chopra expressed a preference for his qualification round throws, stating, "I feel more relaxed and throw farther during qualification rounds. In finals or major competitions, I tend to be overly aggressive and lose my technique."

Chopra's Coaching Change

In January, Chopra parted ways with Zelezny after a year of collaboration, citing a desire to explore his own ideas. He said, "Zelezny was an excellent athlete and coach. We worked on specific aspects, and I'm grateful for breaking the 90m barrier under his guidance. However, I needed to work with my own concepts, so I decided to collaborate with an Indian coach."

He is now training with Jaiveer Chaudhary, a senior who has known him for 15-16 years and understands his training history. Chopra mentioned, "We are focusing on my technique without delving too deeply into specifics. I'm working on my natural style."

Upcoming Competitions

Chopra noted that the absence of the Olympics or World Championships this year provides some mental relief, but he anticipates a busy schedule with the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games approaching.

He has been included in India's 32-member athletics team for the Commonwealth Games, contingent on achieving a throw of 82.61m, a target he considers manageable given his capabilities.

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow this July-August will feature tough competitors, including Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who recently threw 92.62m, Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago's world champion Keshorn Walcott, and two-time world champion Anderson Peters.

Chopra remarked, "All of them have thrown over 90m, so the Commonwealth Games will be just as competitive as the Olympics or World Championships; it will be a challenging event." He also plans to compete in the Asian Games in Japan later this year.

Utilizing Wind Conditions in Doha

The Doha Diamond League has witnessed remarkable 90m throws, with two of the top five all-time performances recorded there—Thomas Roller at 93.90m in 2017 and Anderson Peters at 93.07m in 2022.

When asked about adapting to wind conditions, Chopra explained, "Sometimes I throw against the wind, which isn't ideal. We need to learn how to leverage the wind effectively. In javelin, wind can enhance runway speed, which is beneficial. If we angle the javelin slightly upward, the wind can assist it. However, if the throw is too flat, the wind won't help much. It's crucial to have the right mindset when throwing to utilize the wind effectively."