Neeraj Chopra disappointed at losing out opportunity to be India's flag-bearer at CWG opening ceremony

PTI

New Delhi, July 27

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has expressed his disappointment at losing out the opportunity of leading the country as flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of Birmingham Commonwealth Games on Thursday after he sustained a "minor" groin strain during his historic silver medal-winning campaign at the recent World Championships.

The 24-year-old superstar was all set to defend his title in Birmingham, but pulled out of the multi-sport event after his medical team advised a month's rest after an MRI scan showed a minor injury.

“...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 day's time,” Chopra wrote on his social media handles.

“For now, I will focus on my rehabilitation and hope to be back in action very soon. I would like to thank the entire country for all the love and support I’ve received over the past few days, and urge you all to join me in cheering on my fellow Team India athletes in Birmingham over the coming weeks. Jai Hind.”

The development is a huge setback to the country's CWG campaign as Chopra is a strong medal contender though not a sureshot favourite for gold. Grenada's Anderson Peters, who beat Chopra for gold in the World Championships in Eugene, the US, on Sunday, is also taking part in the CWG.

Peters had won a bronze in the last Commonwealth Games in 2018 in Gold Coast where Chopra had won gold.

Chopra’s injury and pulling out will mean that the much-anticipated clash with Peters will not happen in Birmingham.

Chopra became only the second Indian athlete to win a medal at World Championship after Anju Bobby George, who had won a bronze in long jump in 2003 in Paris.

After his silver medal-ensuring 88.13m throw in the fourth attempt, Chopra had felt some unease in his right thigh and his worst fears have come true.

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