The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has confirmed that Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will compete in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, as he aims to defend his title. AFI selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla made the announcement in an exclusive interview with PTI.
Chopra's Season Start and Recovery
Chopra, 28, a two-time Olympic medallist, began his season late at the Doha Diamond League after recovering from a lower back injury sustained before the 2025 Tokyo World Championships. He finished fourth in Doha with a throw of 85.69m. Sumariwalla praised the performance, stating, “He has done 86m (85.69m) in his very first event, which is fantastic. He won a gold with 88m (in the 2022 Asian Games), so he is already close to 86m, then we see no reason why he will not do well in both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.”
Upcoming Competitions and Rivals
Chopra has already qualified for and confirmed participation in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2. The AFI has left the decision on pre-Commonwealth Games competitions to Chopra and his medical team. Sumariwalla said, “We have left it to him... his medical team, his coach, everyone will sit together and work out which are the best competitions he needs to compete. The important thing was for him to qualify, which he did. Now the important thing is how do we make him peak at the Commonwealth Games as well as in the Asian Games.”
In the Asian Games, Chopra is expected to face strong competition from Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who threw over 90m earlier in 2026 and won two Diamond League meets, including the Doha event where Chopra placed fourth. Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Asian and Commonwealth Games champion, may also compete, though he withdrew from the Doha Diamond League on June 19.
India's Asian Games Team Selection
The AFI selection committee is expected to name the Indian team for the Asian Games on June 28, the final day of the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. India won 29 athletics medals, including six gold, at the 2022 Asian Games. Sumariwalla expressed optimism about improved performance in Japan, saying, “From what we are seeing, things are going well, we should hopefully do better than we did last time... so many people have qualified, it just shows the bench strength.”
India Bids for World Athletics Championships
Sumariwalla also revealed that India has bid to host the World Athletics Senior Championships in 2029 or 2031, and the 2028 World U20 Championships in Ahmedabad. A World Athletics delegation inspected the city's infrastructure, transport, hotels, and other facilities. The host city decision will be announced in September after a meeting following the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest (September 11-13). Sumariwalla acknowledged tough competition from London, Munich, and Kenya but said India presented its best case.
