Neeraj Chopra Reveals Fear After Commonwealth Silver
After returning from a year-long injury battle, Neeraj Chopra admitted he was scared during the event but controlled his body to secure a silver medal in Glasgow.
Neeraj Chopra Reveals Fear After Commonwealth Silver
India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra made a strong comeback on the international stage by winning the silver medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. However, after the event, the Olympic champion made an emotional revelation about the fear he carried throughout the competition.
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Chopra admitted that he was “scared” during the competition because of the injury concerns he has been dealing with for nearly a year. Despite the mental pressure, he managed to control his body and deliver a medal-winning performance.
In the men’s javelin throw final, Sri Lanka’s Rumesha Pathirage won the gold medal with a throw of 89.75 metres. Neeraj Chopra secured silver with 85.83 metres, while India’s Yashvir Singh won bronze after recording a personal best of 85.41 metres with his final attempt.
“I’m Indian, Playing in Cold Weather Is Difficult”
Speaking after the event, Chopra said his comeback was moving in the right direction. He also pointed out that the freezing conditions in Glasgow made the competition difficult.
“My comeback is going in the right direction. I am Indian, so performing at my best in extremely cold conditions is a little difficult. I am very happy to stand on the medal podium again. The results of the hard work I have put in are slowly beginning to show.”
Chopra explained that the cold weather affected the athletes and admitted that only one of his throws was truly good. He said some of his other attempts could have been better, but the javelin did not travel through the air as he expected.
Neeraj Opens Up About Injury Fear
The biggest revelation came when Chopra spoke about his mental state after battling injuries.
He explained that when an athlete is completely fit, there is a natural confidence to fight any situation. However, an injury can bring doubts and fear into the mind.
“Today, I was scared. I did not want to run extremely fast and take any risk. I wanted to maintain control over my body. Still, the throw I produced was satisfactory.”
Chopra’s comments highlight the mental challenge he faced while competing at a major international event after spending a significant period dealing with injuries.
Praises Gold Medallist Pathirage
Chopra also praised gold medallist Rumesha Pathirage and acknowledged that major competitions can sometimes be decided by a single outstanding throw.
According to Chopra, Pathirage produced that crucial throw when it mattered most and secured the gold medal.
“I Could Have Performed Much Better”
Despite returning to the podium with a silver medal, Chopra admitted that he still has considerable room for improvement.
He said he would not describe his performance as a major breakthrough this season and believes he can perform much better in upcoming competitions.
“I cannot say that I have made a huge leap this season. My performance could have been much better. My main goal now is to gradually improve my performance in the upcoming competitions.”
The silver medal marks an important step in Chopra’s comeback journey. More than the medal itself, his ability to compete while overcoming injury-related doubts could prove significant as he looks to regain his best form in the coming competitions.
