According to a family source who spoke to PTI, Chopra has left for Germany and is expected to remain there for a minimum of one month.The Indian Olympic Association sources in Paris also verified Chopra’s departure for Germany.”Chopra has left for Germany and he will not return to India for another month and a half,” a family source told PTI.
“I am not aware of the much of the details, but for sure he will consult a doctor there (Germany),” he added.
Following his victory at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland in June, Chopra expressed his intention to seek medical advice after the Paris Olympics to address his injury concerns.
Despite carrying a groin injury, Chopra emerged victorious at the 2023 World Championships. In preparation for the Paris Olympics this year, he took a hiatus of over a month to manage an adductor muscle niggle.
The 26-year-old Chopra had previously sought medical advice from a doctor in Germany concerning his injury. In preparation for the Olympics, he also underwent a brief training period in Saarbrucken, Germany, last month.
Throughout the Paris Olympics, Chopra conveyed his aspiration to participate in the Diamond League Final, scheduled to take place on September 14 in Brussels, Belgium. To fulfill this goal, he is required to compete in at least one Diamond League Meeting, with the options being either the Lausanne event on August 22 or the Zurich competition on September 5.
“His team (of coach and physio) will decide whether he will play in the DL Meetings (and the DL Final), according to his condition,” the family source said.
Chopra has participated in only one Diamond League Meeting this season, finishing second to reigning Diamond League trophy winner Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic on May 10 in Doha. Currently, Chopra, who won the Diamond League Trophy in 2022, sits in joint fourth place with seven points in the Diamond League Final standings.
The top six finishers in the Diamond League Meetings series will qualify for the Diamond League Final. If Chopra misses both the Lausanne and Zurich events, he risks losing his top-six position.
After securing a silver medal at the Olympics with a season’s best throw of 89.45m, Chopra hinted that he might need surgery for a groin injury that has been bothering him for the past couple of years.
Chopra revealed that during his throws, 60-70% of his focus was on managing the injury. His doctor had advised surgery before last year’s World Championships, but he postponed it due to the upcoming Paris Olympics.