Sumariwalla defends Neeraj Chopra, calls him India's greatest athlete

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Indian javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra‘s performance was scrutinised after finishing second in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games 2026.

Defending Chopra, Athletics Federation of India’s selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla said that clinching a silver medal after recovering from the injury is “simply fantastic”.

“After the injury, for him to come back to this stage and win a silver medal, it’s simply fantastic for Indian athletics. We are confident that he will keep on improving (in the coming days),” he said.

He also urged fans to celebrate the 28-year-old athlete’s silver medals as well.

“It is not that he would win gold all the time, it doesn’t happen like that. Silver medals also happen. He is also a human being, and we should leave at that. We should celebrate his silver medals also,” said Sumariwalla.

Further, the AFI selection committee’s chairman said that whatever medals Chopra has won should be considered as a bonus by the Indian fans.

“Who has given you two Olympic medals, a gold and a silver? Who has given you world championships gold, junior world record and a gold medal? Who has given you Asian Games gold and Commonwealth Games gold and silver, and Asian Championships gold? Whatever medal he has won, we should take it as a bonus,” he said.

Sumariwalla also said that Chopra is the greatest athlete India has produced.

“So, when he wins a silver medal also, we must leave it at that. We must not write him off. Whatever he has to do, he will do it and he knows it. He is after all the greatest athlete India has produced,” he added.

Neeraj Chopra’s upcoming assignment

Chopra will gear up to compete in the Lausanne Diamond League, which is scheduled to be held on August 21.

The event will see a star-studded men’s javelin throwers take the field, which will also include the likes of recently-crowned Commonwealth Games 2026 champion Rumesh Pathirage from Sri Lanka.

In fact, the fans will witness five javelin throwers from the Commonwealth Games 2026 take part in the event.

The Lausanne Diamond League will mark the 28-year-old Indian athlete’s third competition since returning to the field after recovering from his lower-back injury.

(With PTI Inputs)

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