Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has hinted that he may need to undergo surgery to address a long-standing injury following his silver medal-winning performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Chopra, who became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal in track and field at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, continued his impressive run by clinching the silver medal in the javelin throw event in Paris last month.
However, the 26-year-old revealed that he has been dealing with a persistent injury for some time now, which has been troubling him during training and competitions.
“The injury has been there for a while, and it’s something I’ve been managing. But after the Olympics, I’ll need to consult with the medical team and see if a surgery is required to address it properly,” Chopra said in an interview.
The nature of Chopra’s injury has not been disclosed, but the athlete indicated that it has been a nagging issue that he has had to work around in recent years.
Despite the injury, Chopra was able to produce a stellar performance in Paris, throwing the javelin to a distance of 87.58 meters, which was only behind the gold medalists throw of 88.17 meters.
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Chopra’s silver medal in Paris cemented his status as one of the country’s top athletes and further enhanced India’s growing reputation in the world of track and field.
The Indian Olympic Association and the Athletics Federation of India are expected to work closely with Chopra and his medical team to ensure that he receives the best possible treatment and rehabilitation, with the aim of helping him prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
