"Hurt About Not Being Able To Defend My Title": Neeraj Chopra On Missing Commonwealth Games

Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has said that he is hurt about not being able to defend his title at the upcoming Commonwealth Games. Earlier in the day, it was confirmed that Neeraj would be missing the upcoming event due to an injury. Neeraj issued a lengthy statement, saying that he is also disappointed on missing the opportunity of being India's flagbearer at the opening ceremony for the event. It is important to note that Neeraj had won a gold medal at the 2018 CWG in Gold Coast.

"Hello everyone, I'm extremely disappointed to inform you all that I will not be able to represent the country at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. I had been feeling uncomfortable after the pull I felt in my groin during my fourth throw at the World Championships. On having it investigated medically yesterday by a group of doctors here in the US, a minor strain was discovered and I have been advised to undergo rehabilitation and give it rest for the next few weeks," Neeraj said in a statement on Twitter. "I have discussed this with my support team and the IOA, AFI, and SAI's CAIMS, and we've collectively decided that keeping my long-term goals in mind, it would be best for me to skip the CWG in order to avoid risking any further aggravation of the injury. Needless to say, I am hurt about not being able to defend my title and missing out on another opportunity to represent the nation. I am especially disappointed about losing out on the opportunity to be Team India's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, an honour I was looking forward to having in a few days' time," he added.

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Further in his statement, Neeraj said: "For now, I will focus on my rehabilitation and hope to be back in action very soon.