Glasgow 2026: Neeraj Chopra eyes gold in elite javelin field at Commonwealth Games

Glasgow: Indian star Neeraj Chopra is set to face reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan and Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage in a marquee men's javelin showdown, as the nation targets an improvement on its previous athletics medal count when track and field events commence here on Monday.

Alongside Chopra, other primary gold medal contenders for India include long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, who claimed silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, who recently established a national benchmark of 2.31 metres.

The national coaching staff anticipates securing two medals apiece across men's javelin, long jump, high jump, and triple jump, alongside podium finishes in the men's 10,000m, decathlon, and women's 10,000m race walk.

Additional medal opportunities may emerge in the men's 100m hurdles, shot put, and women's 3,000m steeplechase, which could push the final tally past the eight medals (1 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) captured during the Birmingham edition. However, securing gold remains challenging given the world-class fields assembled in most disciplines.

Chopra has battled a lower-back complaint since September 2025, resulting in a delayed season debut at the Doha Diamond League on June 19, where he placed fourth with an 85.69-metre effort—modest by his elevated standards.

Following another month of rehabilitation and training at his base in Bienne, Switzerland, the 28-year-old double Olympic medallist arrives aiming to replicate his gold-winning exploits from the 2018 Gold Coast Games, where he triumphed with an 86.47-metre throw. Chopra missed the 2022 edition due to injury and reached Glasgow on Friday directly from Switzerland.

National athletics head coach Radhakrishnan Nair expressed confidence that the 32-member squad can surpass the previous medal tally, noting that Chopra is currently in "perfect physical shape".

The battle for gold will nonetheless prove arduous for Chopra within an elite lineup. The men's javelin qualifying rounds are scheduled for July 30, with the final following the next day.

Glasgow Men's Javelin Field Rivals Olympics and World Championships

With the exception of competitors such as America's Curtis Thompson and Germany's Julian Weber, virtually all global javelin luminaries will feature in Glasgow.

Alongside Chopra, Nadeem, and Pathirage, the lineup includes reigning world champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, 2022 Commonwealth silver medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada, and Kenya's Julius Yego.

India's Rohit Yadav also enters as a strong medal prospect, currently sitting second in the Commonwealth season standings with an 87.05-metre throw achieved last month. Yashvir Singh completes the three-man Indian javelin contingent.

Pathirage enters as the marginal favourite for gold, standing as the only athlete globally to cross the 90-metre mark this season courtesy of a 92.62-metre throw while capturing the Rome Diamond League title. The 23-year-old has recorded three additional throws exceeding 88 metres and secured two Diamond League victories this term.

Conversely, Nadeem has experienced a lean period, arriving at the Games following a subdued 78.47-metre performance in Luzern, Switzerland, on July 16. Peters holds a season-best of 86.38m after winning the Rabat Diamond League in May with 86.08m, while 33-year-old Walcott is yet to hit peak form with a season-best of 83.45m.

Second Commonwealth Medal in Sight for Sreeshankar and Tejaswin

In the absence of Jamaica's Wayne Pinnock (8.39m), Sreeshankar tops the Commonwealth season charts among long jumpers thanks to his 8.38-metre effort last month—though compatriot Tajay Gayle (8.37m) remains a threat. The 27-year-old Sreeshankar is seeking his second Commonwealth medal, a rare accomplishment for an Indian track and field athlete following his Birmingham silver.

Compatriot Lokesh Sathyanathan could likewise enter medal contention armed with a season-best of 8.21 metres.

The men's high jump competition will feature the Commonwealth's top six season performers, led by Kushare and England's Kimani Jack, both of whom have cleared 2.31m. They are joined by Olympic champion Hamish Kerr (season-best 2.28m) of New Zealand, Jamaica's Romaine Beckford (season-best 2.30m), and Australia's Yual Reath (season-best 2.28m).

Indians Aadarsh Ram (season-best 2.27m) and Tejaswin Shankar (season-best 2.26m)—whose national record was eclipsed by Kushare last month—will also contest the high jump.

Tejaswin's primary medal aspirations, however, lie in the decathlon, where he holds the national record. He ranks second in the Commonwealth season list behind Canada's Damian Warner, the 2014 Commonwealth and Tokyo Olympic champion, who is also competing in Glasgow.

In the men's triple jump, national record holder Praveen Chitravel (season-best 17.08m) and Selva Prabhu (season-best 17.05m) are in contention, though world indoor silver medallist Jordan Scott (season-best 17.69m) of Jamaica stands as the clear favourite for gold.

On the track, most Indian sprinters and middle-distance runners sit outside the medal bracket, though men's 100m hurdler Tejas Shirse is expected to reach the final and could challenge for a podium finish should he improve upon his national record and season-best of 13.27 seconds.

Opening Day Programme

India's initial athletics medal opportunity arrives via Kushare on Monday, with Shirse also in action.

Qualifying rounds get underway on Monday for Sreeshankar and Sathyanathan in the men's long jump and Pooja Singh in the women's high jump, alongside national record holder Gurindervir Singh contesting the opening round of the men's 100m.

PTI