Neeraj Chopra, known as 'Golden Boy,' is human and capable of earning silver medals as well, says Sumariwalla.

In light of recent discussions regarding Neeraj Chopra's fitness and performance, Adille Sumariwalla, the chairman of the Athletics Federation of India's selection committee, has come to the defense of the celebrated javelin thrower. Sumariwalla emphasized that Chopra, often hailed as India's greatest athlete, should not face criticism for securing a silver medal after a decade of remarkable achievements, including multiple golds. The two-time Olympic medalist has been managing a lower back injury for nearly a year, yet he recently showcased his resilience by achieving a season-best throw of 86.48 meters to claim silver at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last month. This performance follows his gold medal win at the same event in 2018, although he was unable to compete in 2022 due to injury.

Sumariwalla expressed pride in Chopra's ability to return to competitive form, stating, "For him to come back to this stage and win a silver medal, it's simply fantastic for Indian athletics." He acknowledged the challenges athletes face, noting that it is unrealistic to expect gold medals at every competition. "He is also a human being, and we should celebrate his silver medals as well," he added. The Athletics Federation of India has designated August 7 as National Javelin Day to honor Chopra's historic gold medal achievement at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Following a setback due to injury just weeks before the World Championships last September, Chopra made his comeback at the Doha Diamond League in June, where he finished fourth. His upcoming schedule includes participation in the Lausanne Diamond League on August 21 and the Diamond League Finals in Brussels on September 4 and 5, leading up to the Asian Games later this year.

Despite concerns about his fitness, Sumariwalla remains confident in Chopra's capabilities. He highlighted the athlete's impressive track record, which includes two Olympic medals, a junior world record, and numerous championships. "Whatever medal he has won, we should take it as a bonus," he remarked, urging critics to refrain from writing off the athlete. The Indian track and field team returned from the Commonwealth Games with a total of ten medals, including five silver and five bronze, marking their best performance in a Games held outside of India. Sumariwalla noted that the absence of gold medals was not a significant issue, attributing it to narrow margins in competition. He praised the depth of talent within the team, indicating that India is no longer reliant on a few standout athletes. Looking ahead, Sumariwalla has announced his candidacy for the presidency of World Athletics, aiming to succeed Sebastian Coe in the upcoming elections scheduled for September next year.