Neeraj Chopra and Yashvir Singh Shine at Commonwealth Games 2026
Neeraj Chopra Celebrates Podium Finish
Neeraj Chopra, India's renowned javelin thrower, expressed his joy after sharing the podium with compatriot Yashvir Singh at the Commonwealth Games. He commended Yashvir for achieving a personal best during such a significant event, recalling the Asian Games where Indian athletes also celebrated a medal double. Chopra emphasized that the experience of hearing the national anthem while on the podium is incredibly special, and he noted that his season-best performance indicates a positive trajectory in his comeback, with more competitions on the horizon.
Historic 1-2 Finish for India in Javelin
India made history in athletics at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with Neeraj Chopra securing the silver medal and newcomer Yashvir Singh taking home the bronze in the men's javelin throw. This remarkable achievement marked a memorable 1-2 finish for India. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage delivered an outstanding performance, clinching the gold medal with a throw of 89.75m on his second attempt.
Neeraj Chopra's Reflections
"This moment brings back memories of the Asian Games, where Saurav and I both earned medals. I'm thrilled that Yashvir achieved a personal best at such a pivotal time. Standing on the podium together is a wonderful feeling, and hearing the national anthem is always a joy. I also achieved a season-best, and my comeback is on track. With more competitions ahead, I feel very optimistic," Chopra shared with reporters.
Chopra finished with a best throw of 85.83m. Although his final attempt was a foul, he recognized it immediately and knew it wasn't a valid throw; however, his earlier effort was sufficient to secure the silver medal in his second Commonwealth Games appearance.
Yashvir Singh's Impressive Debut
Yashvir Singh expressed his immense happiness after winning his first international medal, thanking his family and supporters for their unwavering encouragement. He admitted that the competition did not start as he had hoped, but he remained confident after realizing the bronze medal mark was within reach.
"This is my first international medal, and I am ecstatic. I received tremendous support from my family and parents. Initially, things were a bit slow. At one point, my throw was around 81.3 meters, and I noticed the bronze medal mark was at 82 meters. I reminded myself that I had already thrown 82 meters—my personal best—so I could definitely surpass that. Although my performance was sluggish until the fifth throw, I decided to give it my all on the final attempt, and it turned out great," Singh recounted.
Singh surprised everyone by winning bronze with a personal best throw of 85.41m on his sixth and final attempt. The 24-year-old, making his Commonwealth Games debut, exceeded his previous personal best of 83.72m and successfully fended off strong competition from established athletes like Anderson Peters and Arshad Nadeem.