Injured Kishore Jena Withdraws from Neeraj Chopra Classic; Yashvir Singh Named Replacement

India’s top javelin thrower Kishore Jena has withdrawn from the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 due to an ankle injury, the event organizers confirmed on Monday. He will be replaced by promising young athlete Yashvir Singh.

Jena, who was set to be one of the star attractions in Saturday’s international javelin competition, has been struggling with an ankle issue that has hampered his training and performance. His absence is a setback to the much-anticipated event, which is being held in honor of Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra.

“Due to an ankle injury, Kishore Jena has been ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025. Yashvir Singh has been named as his replacement in the final lineup,” read an official statement from the event organisers.

Yashvir Singh, 23, has shown steady progress in recent competitions. He secured second place in the Federation Cup held in April and placed fifth at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea in May, registering a personal best throw of 82.57 meters.

With Jena out, all eyes will now be on Yashvir to deliver a strong performance against a competitive field of international and domestic javelin throwers.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic is gaining significance as a premier event in India’s athletics calendar, offering rising talents like Yashvir a global platform to shine and earn recognition ahead of major championships.