Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has embarked on a journey to Germany to seek medical advice regarding a potential surgery for his persistent groin injury. The decision comes after Chopra’s impressive silver medal performance at the Paris Olympics, where he showcased his resilience despite the nagging injury.
Sources close to Chopra’s family have confirmed his departure to Germany, where he is expected to remain for at least a month. The 26-year-old athlete had previously expressed his intention to consult doctors after the Olympics to address his injury, which has hindered his performance in recent months.
Chopra’s injury woes began in 2023 when he won the World Championships while carrying the groin injury. Prior to the Paris Olympics, he took a break of over a month due to an adductor muscle niggle. Despite the setbacks, Chopra remained determined to compete in Paris, where he delivered a season’s best throw of 89.45m to secure a silver medal.
During the Olympics, Chopra expressed his desire to participate in the Diamond League Final in Brussels, Belgium, on September 14. However, his participation hinges on his recovery and whether he can compete in at least one Diamond League Meeting before the final.
Chopra’s team, including his coach and physiotherapist, will assess his condition and make a decision on his participation in the Diamond League Meetings. The athlete has previously consulted a doctor in Germany regarding his injury and underwent a short training stint in Saarbrucken before the Olympics.
If Chopra misses both the Lausanne and Zurich Diamond League Meetings, he may miss out on a top-six finish in the DL Meetings series, which would prevent him from competing in the DL Final.
Chopra’s injury has been a significant concern for the Indian athlete, who has hinted at the possibility of undergoing surgery to address the issue. He has stated that the injury has affected his focus and performance, with 60-70% of his attention being diverted to managing the pain.
