Ostrava-Vítkovice, Czech Republic: Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic javelin champion, has opted to withdraw from Tuesday’s Ostrava Golden Spike meeting due to concerns about his adductor, as announced on Sunday. Chopra expressed his reluctance to risk aggravating the injury with the Paris Olympics on the horizon.
While confirming he is not currently injured, Chopra emphasized his cautious approach, particularly during the Olympic year. Last year, the 26-year-old also skipped the same meeting as he recovered from a muscle strain sustained during training.
“In light of a recent throwing session, I opted not to participate in Ostrava as I sensed discomfort in my adductor. Given my history with this issue, pushing it at this juncture could lead to injury,” stated Chopra in a released statement. He clarified that while he is not presently injured, he prioritizes avoiding any unnecessary risks during the Olympic preparations. He assured that once fully recovered, he would resume competitive participation.
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Chopra has already competed in one Diamond League event in Doha, securing a second-place finish behind Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic. Additionally, he clinched gold at a meeting in Bhubaneswar earlier this month. With the Paris Olympics set to commence on July 26, Chopra remains focused on maintaining his fitness and form for the prestigious event.
