Amid the buildup to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Indian athletics has received a welcome lift. While the fog over star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's fitness is yet to lift, two rising Indian throwers have stepped up to give the country a major reason to cheer. Rohit Yadav and Yashveer Singh grabbed a late opportunity with both hands and booked their places at the mega event.
History Made on the Final Day of Reckoning
June 13 turned out to be the most memorable day of both athletes' careers. Rohit Yadav hurled the spear 83.76 metres and Yashveer Singh sent it 82.93 metres — both personal bests. The qualification mark set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) stood at 82.61 metres, and the duo cleared it comfortably.
What made the moment even more significant was that this was their last chance to qualify this season. The AFI had originally chosen the Federation Cup, held in May, as the cut-off event. But strong winds played spoilsport that day, and not a single athlete could reach the required mark. That setback forced the addition of an extra leg of the 'Indian Athletics Series' in Ludhiana — and it was here that Rohit and Yashveer produced their landmark efforts.
Sachin Yadav's Injury and the Worry It Caused
The performance of these two youngsters carries extra weight because Indian athletics had been facing a fresh headache. World Championship finalist Sachin Yadav had to withdraw from the event with an elbow injury, all but ending his hopes of competing in Glasgow. The 26-year-old, who finished fourth at last year's Tokyo World Championship, has struggled with both form and fitness this season. At the Rome Diamond League his throw measured only 79.18 metres, leaving him eighth — well short of his personal best of 86.27 metres. Against that backdrop, the qualification of Rohit and Yashveer has allowed officials to breathe easy.
The Rising Challenge From Sri Lanka
Ever since Neeraj Chopra won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, the craze for javelin throw has surged across the country, and India has established itself as a force in the discipline. Now, however, neighbouring Sri Lanka is pushing Indian throwers hard. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage stunned the world with an astonishing 92.62-metre throw at the Rome Diamond League, adding to the challenges facing the Indian camp.
The Suspense Around Neeraj Chopra Lingers
The picture remains far from clear when it comes to whether the country's biggest star and two-time Olympic medallist (gold and silver) Neeraj Chopra will feature at the Commonwealth Games. Still recovering from a back injury, Neeraj has also pulled out of the Doha Diamond League scheduled for June 19. The 28-year-old is currently locked into a gruelling 47-day off-season training camp in the Swiss town of Bienne, working alongside his physio Ishan Marwah and coach Jai Chaudhary. He is trying to get fully fit ahead of the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, but given the nature of his injury, his return to the field remains in doubt.
