Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has provided a positive update on his recovery from an ankle injury, saying he hopes to resume training and rehabilitation in the next couple of weeks. The 28-year-old Indian javelin thrower said his condition has improved significantly after an initial period of difficulty and that orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala has advised him that he can begin the next stage of his recovery.
The injury, sustained during a training session in August 2026, forced Chopra to miss the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the Diamond League finale. It brought his season to an early end, but his latest comments offer a clearer indication of when he expects to return to the training environment.
Chopra says ankle injury has improved significantly
Speaking to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) media team, Chopra said the first month and a half after the injury had been difficult, but that his condition had since improved. He credited the consultation with Dr Pardiwala and said he had been advised that he could resume training and start proper rehabilitation.
“My injury is much better now. I faced some issues initially in the first month and a half, but it has improved significantly,” Chopra said. He added that his plan was to begin training and rehabilitation in the next couple of weeks. His comments describe an intended return to training, not a confirmed date for his return to competition.
Chopra also explained that he followed the medical team's recommendation to rest rather than push to return prematurely. The latest update therefore marks a move from the rest period towards a planned rehabilitation phase, with the pace of his comeback still dependent on his recovery.
August injury ended his 2026 season
The ankle ligament injury occurred during training in August and forced Chopra to withdraw from the remainder of the season. Among the major events he missed were the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, and the Diamond League finale. His absence was a significant setback after he had returned to competition and was building momentum during the year.
Chopra's final competition of 2026 was the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on August 21. He finished second there with a season-best throw of 88.05 metres. Before that, he had won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July.
The injury followed an earlier interruption to his season, with Chopra having also dealt with a lower-back problem earlier in the year, according to reports. His immediate focus is now on rebuilding through rehabilitation and training rather than targeting a specific competition date.
SAI and TOPS support acknowledged
Chopra acknowledged the support he has received from the Sports Authority of India and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. He said he had been part of the TOPS Core Group for several years and that both organisations had supported him whenever assistance was needed.
He also reiterated that he had followed the medical advice to rest during the injury period. The update underlines the importance of a controlled recovery for an athlete whose event places substantial physical demands on the throwing shoulder, trunk and lower body. Chopra has not announced a date for his next competition, and his immediate plan is limited to restarting training and rehabilitation in the coming weeks.
Chopra welcomes sports goods manufacturing scheme
In the same interaction, Chopra welcomed the Union Cabinet's approval of the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme on October 28. He described it as a positive step for Indian sport and pointed to the difficulties athletes can face when trying to source certain equipment domestically.
Chopra said athletes sometimes have to import equipment from abroad because the required products are not readily available in India. He expressed the view that expanding domestic manufacturing could make equipment easier for athletes to obtain. The scheme has a reported outlay of more than ₹1,800 crore and is intended to strengthen India's sports goods manufacturing sector.
Focus turns to a gradual comeback
For now, Chopra's next milestone is a return to training and the start of proper rehabilitation. His statement is encouraging because it indicates improvement and medical advice to begin activity, but it does not establish when he will compete again. Any competition plans will depend on how he progresses through the next phase.
India's javelin star also sent his best wishes to the Indian athletes preparing for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal. He urged them to enjoy the experience, avoid being overwhelmed by pressure and use the competition as an opportunity to learn. As he begins his own return process, the immediate priority remains a careful recovery after an injury that cut short his 2026 campaign.
Frequently asked questions
When will Neeraj Chopra return to training?
Neeraj Chopra said he plans to resume training and begin proper rehabilitation in the next couple of weeks. He made the announcement on October 30, 2026, after reporting significant improvement in his ankle injury and receiving advice from orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala.
What injury did Neeraj Chopra suffer in 2026?
Chopra sustained an ankle ligament injury during a training session in August 2026. The setback ended his season and forced him to miss the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the Diamond League finale. He said his recovery had improved significantly after an initial period of difficulty.
Which doctor has cleared Neeraj Chopra to resume training?
Neeraj Chopra consulted orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala about his ankle injury. Chopra said the doctor advised that he could resume training and begin proper rehabilitation. He plans to start both activities in the next couple of weeks, subject to the recovery process.
Which major events did Neeraj Chopra miss because of his injury?
The ankle injury ruled Chopra out of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and the Diamond League finale, bringing his 2026 season to an early end. His last competition of the year was the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on August 21, where he finished second with a throw of 88.05 metres.
What was Neeraj Chopra's last competition before his injury break?
Chopra's last competition in 2026 was the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21. He finished second with a season-best throw of 88.05 metres. Earlier in July, he had won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow before the ankle injury interrupted his season.