India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra is set to resume training and begin rehabilitation in the next couple of weeks after making significant progress in his recovery from an ankle injury that forced him to miss the Asian Games and the Diamond League finale.
Chopra sustained the injury during a training session in August and has been following medical advice to rest and recover. The javelin thrower recently consulted renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, who has cleared him to gradually return to training and begin a structured rehabilitation programme.
“My injury is much better now. I faced some issues initially in the first month and a half, but it has improved significantly,” Chopra told Sports Authority of India (SAI) Media.
“I consulted Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala and he has advised that I can now resume training and begin proper rehabilitation. My plan is to start both in the next couple of weeks,” he added.
The two-time Olympic medallist also expressed gratitude to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Sports Authority of India for their continued support during his recovery.
Chopra’s last competitive appearance this year came at the Lausanne Diamond League meeting on August 21, where he finished second. He won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before securing silver at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Neeraj Chopra Welcomes Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme
Apart from providing an update on his recovery, Chopra also welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme on October 28.
With a financial outlay of more than ₹1,800 crore, the initiative aims to strengthen India’s domestic sports goods manufacturing industry and establish the country as a global manufacturing hub over the next decade.
Chopra highlighted the challenges Indian athletes often face in procuring specialised sporting equipment, with some products having to be imported from overseas.
“The Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme … is an amazing step. Athletes face a lot of issues in procuring certain equipment in India or have to import sporting equipment from abroad,” Chopra said.
He added that strengthening domestic manufacturing would make sporting equipment more accessible to athletes and simplify the process of sourcing essential gear.
Neeraj Chopra Sends Best Wishes to India’s Youth Olympic Contingent
Chopra also extended his best wishes to India’s 17-member contingent ahead of the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal.
Encouraging the young athletes to make the most of the international exposure, the Olympic champion urged them to enjoy the experience, learn from competitors and use pressure as motivation.
“Use this opportunity to observe others and channel the pressure to your advantage, and I am sure you will do your best,” he said.
Chopra’s positive injury update will come as encouraging news for Indian athletics fans, with the star javelin thrower now preparing to return to training following his recovery period.
