Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra will defend his Asian Games title at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan later this year, the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla confirmed on Saturday.

The 28-year-old two-time Olympic medallist, who is recovering from a lower back injury sustained before the Tokyo World Championships in September 2025, has already qualified for both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

“Yes. He (Chopra) will participate both in the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. He has qualified already and he is recovering. He has done 86m (85.69m) in his very first event, which is fantastic,” Sumariwalla told PTI in an exclusive interview.

Chopra made a delayed start to his 2026 season at the Doha Diamond League, where he finished fourth with a best throw of 85.69 metres. Despite the injury setback, AFI believes the Olympic champion is on course to regain peak form before the two major multi-sport events.

“He won a gold with 88m (in the 2022 Asian Games in China), so he is already close to 86m, then we see no reason why he will not do well in both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games,” Sumariwalla said.

The AFI is expected to announce the Indian athletics squad for the Asian Games on Sunday, the final day of the ongoing National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar.

Also read: Neeraj Chopra ends fourth in season opener at Doha

Chopra won the men’s javelin gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 with a throw of 88.88 metres. In Japan, he is expected to face stiff competition from Sri Lanka’s rising star Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who crossed the 90-metre mark earlier this year and has already claimed two Diamond League titles, including the Doha meet.

Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Asian and Commonwealth Games champion, could also feature in the competition, although he withdrew from the Doha Diamond League earlier this month after initially being named by organisers.

The AFI has left it to Chopra and his support team to decide whether he should compete in any additional events before the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow from July 23 to August 2.

“We have left it to him… his medical team, his coach, everyone will sit together and work out which are the best competitions he needs to compete,” Sumariwalla said, adding that the priority is ensuring Chopra reaches his peak at both the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.

Separately, Sumariwalla said India remains in the race to host either the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championships in Ahmedabad, with the host city expected to be announced in September.