Neeraj Chopra delivered a candid assessment of his mindset at the Commonwealth Games 2026, revealing he was “scared” every time he stepped up for an attempt in the men’s javelin throw—yet still emerged with the silver medal. Chopra said injury concerns were on his mind throughout the competition, making the result a significant step in his return to the podium after a period affected by injuries.
Despite the nerves, Chopra produced a season-best throw of 85.83m to secure second place. The gold medal went to Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who won with 89.75m. India also added another medal in the event as Yash Vir Singh claimed bronze with a personal best of 85.41m, achieved with his final attempt.
Chopra on fear, fitness and managing his run-up
Chopra described his comeback as progressing, while also acknowledging the challenges he faced on the day. “My comeback is going well. I do not do very well in cold, I am Indian after all. It feels good to return back on the podium. I am slowly getting the results of the work that I put in,” Chopra said after the event, according to India Today.
He explained that the difference between being fully fit and competing with injury concerns can be decisive, particularly in a discipline where confidence and commitment through the run-up matter. “Improvement will happen. I will try to get better throws in the next competitions. I think the main difference is that if you are 100 per cent fit, you have the fighting spirit that you’ll overcome anything. But with injury, it makes you think. You are scared,” he said.
Chopra then underlined how that fear shaped his approach during the competition itself. “Today as well, I was scared. I did not want to run very hard, wanted to keep my body in control. But yeah, the throw was fine,” he said, pointing to the balance he tried to strike between intensity and control.
Conditions were also a talking point. Chopra referenced the cold in Glasgow and said it made things difficult for the entire field. He noted that he managed only one throw he considered truly solid. “I also had only one decent throw today,” he said, referring to his 85.83m effort. “I felt the other throws could have been better, but the javelin just didn’t fly.”
In his view, the competition ultimately turned on a single standout attempt—both for him and the champion. Chopra observed that Pathirage also relied on one major throw to take the title. “Only one good throw is enough,” Chopra said. “He had one good throw today, and I also had only one decent throw.”
For India, the event’s medal haul was strengthened by Yash Vir Singh’s bronze. Singh’s personal best of 85.41m came with his final attempt, ensuring a second Indian on the podium alongside Chopra.
What Chopra said comes next after CWG 2026 silver
While pleased to be back among the medals, Chopra stressed that the larger goal is steady progress as he continues through the season. “Definitely, there’s still room to improve,” he said. “I wouldn’t say I’ve improved a lot this season. I could have done even better.”
Chopra added that his focus is now on incremental gains in upcoming competitions. “The aim now is to keep improving gradually in the next competitions,” he said, framing the Commonwealth Games 2026 silver as a meaningful marker in his ongoing comeback rather than a finished product.
