Good news for India ahead of Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 as double World Champion gold medallist withdraws from event due to ankle injury.

New Delhi: Double World Championship gold medalist javelin thrower Anderson Peters has been ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 due to an ankle injury. The 27-year-old veteran from Grenada won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, where Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal. He will now be replaced by Poland’s Cyprian Merziglod in the event.

Cyprian Mrzyglod will be Anderson’s replacement

Poland’s Cyprian Mrzyglod is a European U23 champion and has a best distance of 84.97m. The organisers said in their statement, “Anderson Peters has been ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 due to an ankle injury sustained during his last competition. He has been replaced by Poland’s Cyprian Mrzyglod in the final lineup.”

The event is being led by Neeraj Chopra

The prestigious event, organised by Neeraj Chopra in association with JSW Sports, is sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). A total of 12 javelin throwers will participate in it, including five Indian players. So far three players have been replaced in this event.

Long rivalry between Neeraj and Peters

Anderson Peters and Neeraj Chopra have long been competing. Peters successfully defended the World Championship title in 2022 and defeated Neeraj by throwing more than 90 meters three times. He then won a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, in which Neeraj did not participate.

These players will be included in the Indian team

Earlier, India’s Kishore Jena has also been ruled out of this event due to an ankle injury and Yashvir Singh was included in his place. At the same time, on June 6, Poland’s Martin Konecy replaced Japan’s Asian Games bronze medalist Genki Dean.

International lineup confirmed so far

The international lineup now includes Cyprian Mrzyglod , Martin Konecy of Poland, Thomas Rohler (2016 Olympic gold medalist) of Germany, Julius Yego (2015 World Champion) of Kenya, Curtis Thompson of the USA, Luiz Mauricio da Silva of Brazil and Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka.

Who will be in the Indian contingent

The Indian contingent will feature Asian Championship silver medalist Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, Sahil Silwal, Yashveer Singh and Neeraj Chopra.

Neeraj Chopra’s dream project

The event, which has been given Category A status by World Athletics, is Neeraj Chopra’s dream project. It aims to establish India as a strong contender for hosting athletics at the global level.