Neeraj Chopra Delays 2026 Opener Due to Injury Recovery

• Ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has not yet decided on his 2026 campaign opener.
• He is recovering from two injuries, including a back issue, sustained before last year's World Championships.
• World Athletics VP Adille Sumariwalla confirmed Chopra competed at Worlds despite injuries and advice not to.
• Chopra's current focus is rehabilitation, with his calendar managed by coach Jan Zelezny.
• AFI is implementing tighter qualification standards for events like javelin, high jump, and long jump for future competitions.

Why It Matters: Neeraj Chopra's 2026 season start is on hold as he prioritizes injury rehabilitation.