Neeraj Chopra Explains Diamond League Choice As Injury Return And Working On Comeback

Published 18 June 2026 · india

Neeraj Chopra Explains Diamond League Choice As Injury Return And Working On Comeback Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 17:02 IST Neeraj Chopra confirms

Neeraj Chopra Explains Diamond League Choice As Injury Return And Working On Comeback Published By, Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 17:02 IST Neeraj Chopra confirms late decision to compete in Doha Diamond League after injury recovery, choosing caution, training in Magglingen before season comeback Neeraj Chopra. Neeraj Chopra has revealed that his return to competitive action at the Wanda Diamond League in Doha was confirmed only days before the event, with the Olympic champion asking the organisers for extra time before committing to the season opener. Speaking during the pre-event media interaction on Thursday, Chopra said he requested Diamond League officials to confirm his participation at the last moment as he was still assessing his recovery from injury. After his final training session convinced both him and his support team that he was ready, the organisers agreed, paving the way for his comeback in Doha. Explaining why he waited until the final stages before entering the competition, Neeraj Chopra admitted that returning too early after an injury was never part of the plan.

The Indian javelin thrower reflected on the setbacks that followed his decision to compete at the World Championships in Tokyo despite not being fully fit and explained how he and his support staff adopted a far more cautious approach this time. “It is always amazing to be back in competitions, in Doha especially. I am a little bit nervous speaking in front of so many people after such a long time. I had some injury last year before the Tokyo World Championships. We worked a lot, and I also competed in Tokyo, but that was not a good decision because I knew I had some problems, but that was the last competition, so I decided to compete there. “In an athlete’s life, if we have one injury, we try to save that injury and get another one. I injured my ankle, then somewhere in the shoulders.

Then I sat with my team, my physio, then we worked on every part. We started throwing one and a half months ago, we took our time and I chose Doha. I asked them if it was possible for me to let them know in a very short period, like just a week ago. They said yes and we decided after my last session to compete in Doha," Chopra told reporters here. Neeraj’s Special Training As part of his recovery programme, Chopra trained at the Swiss Olympic Training Centre in Magglingen, a location he credited with providing the ideal atmosphere to rebuild both physically and technically ahead of his return. “I was in Magglingen, a Swiss Olympic Training Centre there. I really like that place; it’s in the mountains, and very quiet, so you can focus on your things and techniques," he said. (With inputs from Agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Ritayan Basu Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com.