Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra to miss CWG 2022 due to injury

New Delhi: Reigning Olympic champion and javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games due to fitness concerns, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) said on Tuesday.

"Neeraj Chopra will not be defending his title at Commonwealth Games due to concerns regarding his fitness. We wish him a speedy recovery and are supporting him in these challenging times," IOA tweeted.

Chopra scripted history after he claimed silver with a throw of 88.13m at the just concluded World Athletics Championships. At that event, the 24-year-old suffered a strain in his groin muscles of his right thigh.

With the silver, Chopra became the second track and field Indian athlete to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships after Anju Bobby George.

Chopra started his season last month and has broken the national record twice in three competitions.

He began the season with a national record performance and clinched silver at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland.

He won gold at the Kuortane Games. At the Stockholm Diamond League, Chopra finished second with a personal best throw of 89.94m, rewriting his national record he set at the Paavo Nurmi Games. (UNI)