Back injury forces Neeraj Chopra to opt out of Doha Diamond League 2026
Indian star Neeraj Chopra is set to miss Doha Diamond League 2026 due to back injury
A back injury has forced Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra to opt out of the Doha Diamond League, scheduled for June 19. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist is now focusing on regaining full fitness before the major tournaments, including the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, scheduled later this year.
Neeraj is currently based in Bienne, Switzerland, where he is working closely with his physiotherapist, Ishaan Marawaha and coach Jai Chaudhary. He is being supervised under a 47-day off-season training program, helping in regaining full strength soon.
The 28-year-old Indian thrower crossed the 90-mark for the first time in the Doha Diamond League 2025 as he reached the 90.23m target in the first round. However, Neeraj felt short of victory in 2025, as Germany's Julian Weber clinched victory with a 91.06m throw in the fifth round.
The Doha Diamond League 2026 will feature a world-class lineup, including Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, and Czech star Jakub Vadlejch, among other players.
Sportscape believes Indian fans will feel Neeraj Chopra’s absence in the upcoming Doha Diamond League 2026; however, with major events lined up in the second half of the year, Neeraj’s fitness remains important for India.
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