He has been recommended to rest for one month due to health concerns.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) stated on Tuesday that India’s top javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games owing to “fitness issues.”
Chopra earned a historic silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene on Sunday, but he was forced to withdraw due to a groyne issue.
According to IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta, the reigning Olympic champion has been recommended to take a month off.
“Mr. Neeraj Chopra, Team India’s javelin thrower, phoned me earlier today from the United States to express his inability to compete in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games due to fitness issues… Following his participation in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Mr. Chopra had an MRI scan on Monday, and his medical staff recommended him to take a month off “Mehta said.
The 24-year-old is just the second Indian athlete to earn a World Championship medal, after Anju Bobby George, who won a bronze medal in long jump at the 2003 World Championships in Paris. Chopra is also likely to serve as India’s flag bearer during the Games, which begin on Thursday.
“We’ll have a meeting later in the day to identify who would be the replacement flag-bearer,” India team chef de mission Rajesh Bhandari told PTI.
