CWG2026: Neeraj Chopra claims silver, Yash Vir Singh bags bronze in India’s double podium finish

New Delhi: India enjoyed a memorable evening in the men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Commonwealth Games as Neeraj Chopra secured the silver medal and Yash Vir Singh produced a personal best to take bronze. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage emerged as the champion with a brilliant throw of 89.75m while India celebrated having two athletes on the podium.

Neeraj, who returned to the Commonwealth Games after eight years, registered a best throw of 85.83m. It was another encouraging performance for the Olympic champion, who continues to work his way back after a lengthy injury lay-off. Yash Vir Singh impressed with a final-round throw of 85.41m, the best of his career, to move into the bronze-medal position.

Neeraj looked comfortable from the beginning, opening with 80.97m before improving to 85.83m in his second attempt. His first four throws all crossed the 80-metre mark, showing consistency even though he could not match Pathirage’s winning effort.

A double podium finish to remember! 🥈🥉🇮🇳

Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for winning Silver and Yash Vir Singh for securing Bronze in the Men’s Javelin Throw at the Commonwealth Games.

Two Indians finishing on the podium is a historic first for this event. This is a truly… pic.twitter.com/QmqnW2VJT1

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) July 31, 2026

Yash Vir delivers when it mattered most

Yash Vir stayed in the fight throughout the competition despite an inconsistent series. After recording 78.55m and 81.33m in the middle rounds, he saved his best for last. His final throw of 85.41m lifted him into third place and earned him the first major international medal of his career.

Another Indian in the final, Rohit Yadav, finished outside the medals despite managing a best throw of 81.56m. One of the biggest surprises of the event was the early exit of Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem. The reigning Olympic champion and Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medallist failed to make the final eight after three attempts and was eliminated.

Positive signs for Neeraj despite missing gold

The silver medal continues Neeraj’s steady return to top-level competition. Although he had finished fourth at the Doha Diamond League earlier this season, his performance in Glasgow showed that he is moving in the right direction.

The Indian star had a mixed 2025 campaign. He broke the 90-metre barrier for the first time with a national record throw of 90.23m in Doha, won the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru and claimed victories in Paris and Ostrava.

However, his eighth-place finish at the World Athletics Championships ended an incredible run of 33 consecutive podium finishes.

While the gold medal slipped away this time, India’s double podium finish through Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh gave the country plenty to celebrate and underlined the strength of its men’s javelin programme heading into the next major competitions.