Neeraj Chopra
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The 24-year-old had become only the second Indian athlete to win a medal at World Championship, after Anju Bobby George | File Photo

Neeraj Chopra pulls out of Birmingham CWG due to groin strain


Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has pulled out of the Commonwealth Games due to “fitness concerns”, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) announced on Tuesday (July 26).

Chopra had won a historic silver medal at the World Athletics Championship in Eugene on Sunday (July 24) and suffered a strain in his groin during the competition.

IOA Secretary General Rajiv Mehta said the reigning Olympic champion has been advised rest for one month. “Team India javelin thrower Mr. Neeraj Chopra had called me earlier today from the US to convey his inability to take part in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games owing to fitness concern,” Mehta said.

Also Read: It was a tough contest; I will take the silver: Neeraj Chopra

“Following his participation in the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Mr. Chopra had had an MRI scan done on Monday and based on it, he has been advised a months rest by his medical team,” Mehta added.

The 24-year-old had become only the second Indian athlete to win a medal at World Championship, after Anju Bobby George, who won a bronze medal in long jump at the 2003 World Championship held in Paris. Chopra was expected to be India’s flag bearer at the Games, starting Thursday.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra clinches silver at World Championships, scripts history again  

“We have a meeting later in the day to decide the new flag-bearer,” said Indian team’s chef de mission Rajesh Bhandari.

(With inputs from agencies)

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