Neeraj Chopra competed in Diamond League Final 2024 with fractured hand
The Indian javelin ace disclosed that he sustained a fracture just days before the final in Brussels.
Athletics
Neeraj Chopra, the reigning javelin throw world champion, on Sunday disclosed that he competed in Saturday night’s Diamond League Final 2024 in Brussels with a fractured hand.
The Indian athlete ended his season with a second-place finish behind two-time world champion Anderson Peters by just one centimetre. Neeraj Chopra's third attempt of 87.86m was just short of Peters’ 87.87m mark.
Chopraj, who also dealt with groin discomfort during the Paris 2024 Olympics last month, revealed that he had suffered a fracture in his left hand during training earlier this week.
“On Monday, I injured myself in practice and X-rays showed that I had fractured the fourth metacarpal in my left hand,” Chopra posted on his social media platforms.
“It was another painful challenge for me. But with the help of my team, I was able to participate in Brussels,” the 2022 Diamond League champion added.
Neeraj Chopra won the Olympic gold in 2021, a Diamond League title in 2022, and gold medals at the World Championships and Asian Games in 2023. However, his 2024 season was marked by a series of second-place finishes.
Chopra began the season with an 88.36m throw at the Doha Diamond League in May, followed by an impressive 89.45m throw for silver at the Paris Olympics. At the Lausanne Diamond League, he achieved his career’s second-best throw of 89.49m and concluded his season in Brussels. Despite strong performances, Chopra finished second in all four meets.
“As the 2024 season ends, I look back on everything I’ve learned through the year - about improvement, setbacks, mentality and more,” Neeraj Chopra noted while reflecting on his season.
“This (Diamond League Final) was the last competition of the year, and I wanted to end my season on the track. While I couldn’t meet my own expectations, I feel this was a season in which I learned a lot. I am now determined to return, fully fit and ready to go.
“I want to thank all of you for your encouragement. 2024 has made me a better athlete and person. See you in 2025,” the Tokyo 2020 champion signed off.