Neeraj Chopra returns to CWG action, eyes second javelin gold at Glasgow 2026
Glasgow, July 30
Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra will begin his bid to reclaim the Commonwealth Games title when he takes part in the men's javelin throw event at the Scotstoun Stadium on Thursday.
Chopra won the gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast but missed the Birmingham 2022 edition due to an injury. The Olympic medallist now returns to the Games in Glasgow with an eye on securing his second Commonwealth Games title.
Earlier, the former world champion competed at the Doha Diamond League, marking his first competition of the 2026 season after recovering from a back injury.
In Doha, the former Olympic gold medallist dusted off the rust and soon found his groove on the third attempt, registering a throw of 85.69 metres to jump to third in the standings at the end of round three.
The former World Number 1 followed it up with a throw of 83.45 metres in the fourth round and needed a throw in excess of 86 metres in the fifth round to remain in the top three and qualify for the final shootout.
Unfortunately, as things panned out, Neeraj recorded another foul throw and dropped down to fourth to bring an end to his participation.
The men's javelin throw competition at the Commonwealth Games 2026 will be held in two stages, with the qualification round scheduled for July 30, followed by the medal-deciding final in the early hours of August 1 (IST).
Meanwhile, India had a strong Day 7 at the Commonwealth Games 2026, winning three medals, one gold and two silver, and securing at least six more medals in boxing.
Dilip Mahadu Gavit won gold in the men's T47 100m with a Games record time of 10.71 seconds, while Mohammed Basil Morssinganakth took silver to complete India's one-two finish. Murali Sreeshankar also won silver in men's long jump, becoming the first Indian male long jumper to win two Commonwealth Games medals.
Six Indian boxers, Sakshi Choudhary, Jaismine Lamboria, Arundhati Choudhary, Sachin Siwach, Ankush Panghal and Narender Berwal, reached the semifinals, guaranteeing at least six more medals.
India also progressed in several athletics and lawn bowls events, while recording mixed results in swimming and para-athletics. At the end of Day 7, India had 15 medals in total, three gold, nine silver and three bronze.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see him back, but I hope the back injury is fully healed. Rushing into competitions can be risky.🤞 Dilip Gavit's gold in T47 was amazing too—what a Games for India!
Neeraj Chopra is pure class. Even after a injury, he's competing at elite level. And that 85.69m throw in Doha shows he's still got it. Gold in Glasgow is very much on! 🙌
Exciting times for Indian athletics! Sreeshankar with back-to-back CWG medals in long jump is brilliant, and Dilip's gold with a Games record 🔥 Let's go Team India!
Neeraj's comeback is great, but we need to be cautious. The Doha performance showed he's still finding rhythm. Hope the coaches manage his workload well for the final. Quality over quantity! ⚡
The one-two finish in men's T47 100m was incredible! Dilip and Basil made us proud. And six boxers in semis means at least six more medals! 2026 CWG is turning out to be historic. 🤩🇮🇳
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