Ranchi: Neeraj Chopra, former Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medallist, is expected to mark his return in competition at the 59th National Open athletics championships, the tournament will kick-start on Thursday in Ranchi.
Neeraj will return in action after one year. He underwent elbow surgery last year and was forced to skip the World Championship, which was played in Doha
According to a news published in a leading English newspaper, Neeraj will be among a clutch of star athletes who will be in action.
If the reports are to be belivied then the final entry list for the event was changed a day after getting published. The list was changed after a clear directive from the Athletics Federation of India.
“Many were not happy about it but there was a threat that those who skip the Ranchi meet would not be included in the national camp,” a top coach was quoted as saying by the paper. “So, they had no option but to go.”
VK Vismaya, 400m runner, javelin thrower Annu Rani, long jumper M Sreeshankar and Asian Games shot put gold medallist Tajinderpal Singh Toor will also be seen in action during National Open athletics championships.
Meanwhile, steeplechaser Avinash Sable, who recently bagged his berth in Tokyo Olympics, and Asian Games 1500 gold medallist Jinson Johnson's participation in the event are not confirmed.
Javelin thrower Shivpal Singh will also skip the event as he is suffering from an ankle injury and triple jumper Arpinder Singh will also not be seen as he is taking a break before the next season.
