I was afraid: Neeraj Chopra overcomes injury doubts, returns to podium

Neeraj Chopra admitted he was "scared" every time he stepped onto the runway in Glasgow, but the Olympic champion put months of injury worries behind him to return to the podium with a silver medal in the men's javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games on Friday.For the first time in nearly a year, Chopra walked away from a major competition with a medal around his neck. It was not the dominant version of the Indian superstar that fans have grown accustomed to seeing, but after an injury-plagued 18 months, the result meant far more than the distance on the scoreboard.India at Commonwealth Games: July 31 WrapBEFORE CWG, NEERAJ CONQUERS FEARThe 28-year-old's best effort of 85.83m, his second throw of the evening, earned him silver behind Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who claimed gold with a massive 89.75m. Fellow Indian Yash Vir Singh produced a stunning personal best of 85.41m with his final attempt to snatch bronze, giving India a double podium finish. For Chopra, however, the bigger victory came long before the medal ceremony.Recurring injury troubles, particularly a lower back issue that has troubled him since last September, had robbed him of the confidence that once defined his approach. Even after making his competitive return at the Doha Diamond League in June, Chopra admitted he was still battling the mental scars left behind by months on the sidelines. "My comeback is going well. I do not do very well in cold, I am Indian after all. It feels good to return back on the podium. I am slowly getting the results of the work that I put in," Chopra said after the event. Courtesy: PTI The silver-medallist revealed that the biggest challenge in Glasgow was not the cold and windy conditions but overcoming the fear of breaking down again."Definitely improvement will happen. I will try to get better throws in the next competitions. I think the main difference is that if you are 100 per cent fit, you have the fighting spirit that you'll overcome anything. But with injury, it makes you think. You are scared. Today as well, I was scared. I did not want to run very hard, wanted to keep my body in control. But yeah, the throw was fine."Commonwealth Games July 31: HighlightsNEERAJ TAKES INDIA TO DOUBLE PODIUM FINISHThose fears were visible in the way Chopra approached his run-up. Instead of attacking the runway with his trademark aggression, he looked measured and cautious, making sure not to overload his body. Even then, his 85.83m effort was enough to secure his first podium finish since injuries disrupted what had once looked like another dominant phase of his career. Courtesy: AFP The conditions in Glasgow offered little help. Cold temperatures and swirling winds made life difficult for the entire field, but Pathirage once again showed why he has been the world's standout javelin thrower this season. The Sri Lankan unleashed an 89.75m throw in the second round, narrowly missing the 90m mark, and held on to the lead despite fouling all his remaining attempts.Chopra briefly led the competition after his second throw before being overtaken by Pathirage. His remaining valid attempts measured 81.29m and 80.73m, while his final two throws were fouls.The Indian admitted he is still some distance away from his best physical condition but believes the signs are encouraging with the Asian Games approaching."I can't say my fitness is like before. But I'm getting there slowly. There is still time for the Asian Games. I will compete in the Diamond League before that. There will be more improvement. Will improve slowly."He added that while every Indian athlete dreams of hearing the national anthem after victory, this medal represented something equally valuable."Although we always want the national anthem to play, I did my season best and my comeback is going okay. There are other competitions as well. I am happy." "I am very happy, same happened at the Asian Games," said Neeraj Chopra after India secured a double podium in the men's javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games 2026.Neeraj Chopra and Yashvir won the silver and bronze medals, respectively, giving India two places on the pic.twitter.com/ET9LUe4z3g— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) July 31, 2026The silver also marked Chopra's second Commonwealth Games medal after winning gold at the 2018 Gold Coast Games, reaffirming that even an under-par Neeraj remains among the world's elite.The evening also belonged to Yash Vir Singh, who announced himself on the international stage in spectacular fashion. The 24-year-old, making his Commonwealth Games debut, threw a personal best 85.41m with his sixth and final attempt to leap from seventh place into the bronze medal position. Courtesy: PTI "I am happy that I could do my personal best and also get a medal in such conditions," Yashvir said after becoming the latest Indian javelin thrower to make a statement on the big stage.India's third representative, Rohit Yadav, finished seventh with a best throw of 81.56m, while Pakistan's defending champion and reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem endured a disappointing outing, crashing out after three rounds with a best effort of 77.41m.- EndsPublished By: Kingshuk KusariPublished On: Aug 1, 2026 09:47 IST