Spotlight on fit-again Neeraj in National Open Athletics C'ship

Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will return to action after a year-long injury lay-off when the 59th National Open Athletics Championships begins here on Thursday.

Neeraj, who had clinched gold medals at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and Jakarta Asian Games, has not taken part in any competition in more than a year since throwing 83.90m at the Services Athletics Championships in Jalahalli on September 19 last year.

The 21-year-old was training in Potchefstroom, South Africa when it was diagnosed that his elbow injury needed surgery in May last year.

With the Tokyo Olympic Games less than 10 months away, Neeraj will be keen to show that his rehabilitation has progressed on expected lines.

"I really want to get back to the competition mode and since this is the last competition of the season, I want to use this event to get into the feeling of competition. I had spoken to my doctors and they have said I am okay to compete," he said.

"I am feeling good. Much better now. I started training in Patiala few weeks back and throws are going well in training."