India’s star attraction Neeraj Chopra finally touched down in Glasgow on Saturday morning ahead of a high-stakes men’s javelin throw competition.Sporting an all-black outfit comprising a sweatshirt, track pants and a black cap, Chopra cut a relaxed figure as he made his way into the hotel where the athletics and para-athletics contingent are staying. The Olympic and world champion returns to the CWG after missing the 2022 Birmingham edition because of injury.Gold Coast champion in 2018, Chopra enters Glasgow with just one competition under his belt over the last year. Since finishing a disappointing eighth at the World Championships in Tokyo last Sept while battling a troublesome lower back injury, the 28-year-old has stayed away from competition, focusing entirely on rehabilitation and recovery.
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His only appearance since then came in the Doha Diamond League, where an 85.69m throw fetched him fourth place.Having also dealt with ankle, shoulder, wrist and adductor issues in recent years, Chopra has taken a cautious approach to his return. “I’m coming from Switzerland. The preparations have been good. After the Doha DL, we increased the intensity of my workouts and fitness regime. It took time to recover from injury issues this time,” Chopra said after arriving in Glasgow.Neeraj will once again renew his rivalry with Pakistan’s Olympic and defending CWG champion Arshad Nadeem, while Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who produced a world-leading 92.62m in Rome DL earlier this month, enters the competition as the man in form. Pathirage had also finished ahead of Chopra in Doha. “The weather seems cloudy and rainy here. Hoping for weather to get somewhat warmer on my competition day,” Chopra said.Chopra will be joined by Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh in the men’s javelin throw,. The qualifying is on July 30.
