The Indian athletics contingent for Commonwealth Games has suffered a huge blow. Their star performer and a major medal contender Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.
Neeraj, who won a silver in the recently concluded World Athletics championship, complained of a groin pull after his medal-winning throw. He created history in the tournament by becoming the first Indian to win a silver at the tournament. And only the second Indian to win a medal at all.
Rajeev Mehta, secretary general, IOA, confirmed, “(Neeraj) had called me earlier from US to convey his inability to take part in Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games owing to fitness concern… Chopra had an MRI scan done on Monday, and based on it, he has been advised a month’s rest in medical terms.”
Earlier, Neeraj had also conveyed how he felt something on his thigh after the fourth throw at the Championship. It was the medal-winning throw, following which he couldn’t perform well.
“I will know the status tomorrow morning because my body is still warm after the event. I hope there should not be any issue for the upcoming event,” Neeraj had said following the event.
Neeraj is the current gold medalist of the competition. He won the medal in the 2018 edition of the Commonwealth Games in Australia. This will be a huge blow to India’s progress into the tournament.
The 24-year-old was having a great time in 2022. Earlier, he had won two medals (one silver and one bronze) and was looking in raging hot form to defend his title at the Common Wealth Games. Sadly it won’t be happening.
Fans will be hoping for a quick recovery of the player. So that they can see him in action soon.
