ROUND ROCK – Is Weiss’ offense even better than anticipated?
While a lot was expected of the star-studded Wolves, who seemingly have high-level college recruits at every skill position, they appeared in midseason form Friday as most UIL schools began the Texas high school football season.
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Producing more than 500 yards of offense, which looks even better considering nearly all of that came in three quarters, Weiss topped Round Rock 42-28 in a highly entertaining game at Dragon Stadium.
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And though more will be known after their next game against Lake Travis, the Wolves signaled that any preseason hype was certainly deserved.
Jaxon Schad threw for 306 yards and five touchdowns and added 87 yards and a score on the ground. Now a junior, Schad is not only bigger and faster, which he showed in breaking several tackles scrambling, but his accuracy and touch were nearly flawless as he completed 21 of 25 attempts.
“Pretty much everything was working tonight, honestly,” Schad said. “We had a good game plan coming in and a great script. We knew what was going to hit and we put it on the field and made it happen.”
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Weiss arguably has one of the top wide receiver groups in the state, and Schad made good use of it. He connected with Jordan Ibn Anderson-El for three TDs and with Tre Moore and Dallas Schad – his older brother – for one.
“I say this in every interview, but it’s truly a blessing to throw to this group,” Jaxon Schad said. “I cannot thank God more or the staff more for this. It’s incredible. I can’t thank them enough. The amount of work they put in to be able to shine on these fields – it’s every day. So I love it.”
The Wolves’ receivers are also fortunate to have Jaxon Schad as a quarterback. He already has offers from several colleges, including Texas Tech, SMU and Houston, but Weiss coach Malcolm Hill noted he’s more than just talent.
“Jaxon Schad – he’s the ultimate competitor,” said Hill, who led the Wolves to a 10-3 record in his first year leading the program last fall. “He’s one of the best individuals and he’s a competitor that everyone believes in.”
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Does Weiss have a breakout star in new running back?
It wasn’t just Jaxon Schad and the receivers who shone, though.
Making his first varsity start, sophomore running back Trae Collins had 27 carries for 137 yards.
“We call him ‘Baby bus,’” Hill said, possibly referring to former NFL running back Jerome Bettis, who was nicknamed “the bus.” “(Weiss’ starter) went down in the scrimmage last week, and Trae stepped up. His verticality and the way he gets lost behind the line is really good. He took a pounding today, but he kept his feet moving. He’s hard to hit, so you’ll be seeing a lot of him.”
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Weiss wideout honors relative with performance
It was a special and emotional night for Anderson-El.
Playing for the first time since his grandfather passed away earlier in the summer, Anderson-El dedicated his performance of six catches for 70 yards and three touchdowns to him.
“My grandpa did a lot for me,” said Anderson-El, who noted his grandfather served in the Army. “He was an amazing person, and I did it for him today.”
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Weiss hopes tough opponents pay off
Weiss, which is in Class 5A Division I, didn’t shy away from competition in its nondistrict schedule.
Round Rock and Lake Travis are two of the area’s top 6A programs and feature similar talent to what the Wolves will face if they make a deep playoff run.
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The game was tied at 28-28 entering the fourth quarter before Weiss pulled away, offering Hill a chance to judge his team’s mettle.
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“This is why you schedule Round Rock,” he said. “This is a good team. … We want to play playoff teams so we can have an assessment of who we are and where we can go. And so when the game gets tied up, I just need to see if our guys were going to flinch.”
Notable stats
Moore finished with eight catches for 133 yards.
Dallas Schad tallied four catches for 82 yards.
Round Rock quarterback Dov Stickler threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns.
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Dragons wideout Simon Sylvain recorded six catches for 79 yards.
Trae Collins on a run for Weiss. Weiss won a non-district football game 42-28 at Round Rock on August 28th, 2026. (Henry Huey/Special to American-Statesman)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) wait for a new title sponsor for the Indian cricket team’s home matches is still on. The deadline for bid submission was August 13. Two weeks have passed since that deadline, but the BCCI is yet to find a suitable sponsor. The BCCI had released the invitation on July 20, with the last date for ITT document purchase being August 4. The BCCI kept August 5 as the last date to seek clarifications. The Board is in talks with potential sponsors, with Google Gemini emerging as one of the brands involved in discussions. Spinny and SBI Life are also reportedly in talks.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, quoting industry sources, “the board is engaged in talks with potential corporates. Google Gemini, the artificial intelligence and generative AI brand that has been associated with several sporting properties of late, is understood to be among the brands being discussed. Spinny and SBI Life are the other parties that are apparently being spoken to.”
BCCI’s current rights holder, IDFC First Bank, pays Rs 4.2 crore per match, but the increased base price of Rs 4.75 crore appears to be a stumbling block for a potential deal. The proposed agreement is for two years (ending March 31, 2028), down from the three-year deal that IDFC First Bank secured in 2023. The Indian board had confirmed in its ITT that it expects the holder to sponsor nearly 35 matches (10 Tests, 12 ODIs and 13 T20Is).
The report added that some brands, mainly tyre, paint and sports apparel companies, cannot bid to become title sponsors of Indian cricket in this cycle. This has been done to protect the rights of existing sponsors such as Apollo Tyres (the Indian team’s lead jersey sponsor), Adidas (the Indian team’s kit sponsor) and Asian Paints (BCCI’s Associate Partner).
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The BCCI has also set strict financial criteria for each of the bidders. “The average turnover of each bidder for the last three years must be at least INR 100 crore (Indian Rupees One Hundred Crore only) as per the last three audited accounts. Or the average net worth of each bidder for the last three years must be at least INR 100 crore (Indian Rupees One Hundred Crore only) as per the last three audited accounts,” the report quoted a BCCI bid document as saying.
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“Winning World Cup Most Beautiful thing”: Golden Ball Winner Rodri
Earlier this year, McLaren Golf — the automotive and Formula 1 company — launched their first irons, the Series 1 and Series 3 models, to great fanfare. Justin Rose and Michelle Wie West were the first pros to put the irons in their bags, joining McLaren as global brand ambassadors and investors.
It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that the Series 1 irons sold out almost immediately after their release. But if you missed out on the launch back in April, there’s good news! Series 1 irons are being freshly restocked, and you can pre-order yours now from Fairway Jockey to avoid disappointment and guarantee that a set will be coming your way.
What kind of performance can you expect from these premium irons? Both the Series 1 and Series 3 irons utilize MIM (Metal Injection Molding) to create a strong structural geometry and precise internal weighting to produce soft feel and increase MOI, enabling you to launch long irons higher and flight short irons more easily.
The Series 1 irons are specifically designed for precise ball strikers who desire more speed and stability than a traditional forged muscle-back can offer.
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Did we mention that the clubs are sleek and beautiful to look at? Fans of the McLaren W1 Supercar will probably recognize some design references, like the mesh honeycomb pattern on the back of the clubhead, with a hint of trademark orange in the logo. That honeycomb isn’t just for looks either — it aids forgiveness by removing mass from non-critical areas while also maintaining rigidity and an attractive Tour-preferred profile.
Check out the Series 1 irons in detail by clicking the link below, and lock in your chance to own these special clubs while you can! Fulfillment of this batch is expected within 5-6 weeks.
A Tour blade with the feel you expect and the forgiveness you don’t. Series1 is a modern Tour blade, engineered through Metal Injection Molding. It delivers a level of forgiveness traditional forging can’t achieve, while maintaining the feel and workability often lost in cast designs. The result is performance without compromise – a blade for elite players who demand more from their irons.
A dramatic start to Matchday 2 in Ligue 1. Just like last week at Rennes, Paris Saint-Germain found themselves 2-0 down, only to produce another miraculous comeback. Vitinha sparked the revival before Marquinhos rescued a point for the Parisians in Lille.
Elsewhere in sports news, Manchester City ran riot in the Premier League. Powered by braces from Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland, the Citizens swept aside Crystal Palace 4-1 on Friday.
In Germany, Bayern Munich’s French contingent was on fire. Dayot Upamecano scored the first goal of the Bundesliga season, while Michael Olise, also on the scoresheet and named Man of the Match, inspired Bayern to a 5-1 win over Stuttgart.
In Serie A, AC Milan’s star signing Gonçalo Ramos made an instant impact. The former PSG striker broke the deadlock as the Rossoneri beat Venezia 2-0.
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In the Saudi Pro League, Cristiano Ronaldo was on target too. The Portuguese forward scored his 978th career goal to hand Al-Nassr victory.
The Europa League and Conference League draws were held in Monaco on Friday. Lyon will face Bayer Leverkusen and Crystal Palace, among others. Marseille will also take on Leverkusen, as well as travelling to Celtic and Besiktas. Rennes will meet Juventus. In the Conference League, Monaco will travel to Brighton.
There’s also been plenty of movement in the transfer market, particularly at Aston Villa. Ollie Watkins has left, with Senegal international Nicolas Jackson arriving. PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye is also closing in on a move to Villa. Meanwhile, Marseille are looking to offload Leonardo Balerdi, who is reportedly heading for Roma.
And finally, in cycling, Andreas Leknessund produced a stunning ride on the Vuelta a España. The Norwegian won Stage 7, while Tadej Pogačar remains firmly in control of the race.
College football is back on FOX, and Saturday night’s Week 0 spotlight belongs to Memphis at UNLV. The Tigers and Rebels meet for the first time at Allegiant Stadium, with kickoff set for 10 p.m. ET on FOX and live streaming available on FOX One.
How to Watch Memphis at UNLV
What to Know About Memphis at UNLV
The late FOX window brings a fresh start for both teams. Memphis opens the Charles Huff era after adding 81 newcomers, including 61 transfers, while Dan Mullen begins Year 2 at UNLV after guiding the Rebels to a 10-4 record and a spot in the 2025 Mountain West Championship Game.
There is no history to lean on here. This is the first meeting between Memphis and UNLV, and both teams enter with quarterback questions still being sorted out. That puts extra weight on the proven playmakers around them.
Players To Watch
Memphis rebuilt the roster for Charles Huff’s first season, but Dallan Hayden gives the offense one proven place to start. The redshirt senior brings 1,185 career rushing yards and eight touchdowns into the opener, valuable experience while the Tigers sort through their new pieces. His work Saturday can shape the entire game. If Hayden keeps Memphis ahead of the chains, he can take pressure off the quarterback rotation, quiet the crowd and keep UNLV’s offense on the sideline. A steady night from Hayden would give Memphis exactly the kind of foundation it needs in Huff’s debut.
J’Mond Tapp followed Huff from Southern Miss after piling up 7.5 sacks and earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025. Now he gets the first chance to set the edge for a Memphis defense featuring plenty of new faces. The matchup puts him directly in the path of UNLV’s biggest strength: a rushing attack led by 1,000-yard back Jai’Den Thomas. If Tapp wins on early downs and makes the Rebels play from behind the sticks, he can simplify the night for the Tigers’ rebuilt defense. Memphis needs disruption up front, and Tapp is built to provide it.
Jai’Den Thomas is the engine of the UNLV offense until somebody proves otherwise. He ran for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while averaging 7.0 yards per carry, then added 39 catches for 237 yards and another score. That all-around production makes him a tough opening assignment for a Memphis defense assembled largely through the transfer portal. Thomas can punish a missed fit between the tackles or turn a short throw into a chunk play. If he gets rolling early, the Rebels can keep their quarterbacks in comfortable situations and make Memphis chase the game.
Jake Pope gives UNLV an experienced organizer on the back end against a Memphis offense full of new personnel. The senior safety finished 2025 with 81 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception and five pass breakups. His value Saturday goes beyond the box score. Pope has to identify formations, keep explosive plays in check and make sure the Rebels tackle cleanly in space. If he sees the Tigers’ plan quickly, UNLV can force Memphis to earn every yard instead of handing the new-look offense easy momentum in the first game of the Huff era.
College Football Related Stories
Can I Stream Memphis at UNLV on FOX One?
Yes. FOX One streams Memphis at UNLV live. Coverage begins Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.
Follow the full college football schedule for game times, TV information and updates throughout the season.
WWE legend D-Von Dudley has said that many major wrestling stars used the N-word for years. The decorated tag team star has spoken in the past about racism in the pro wrestling business.
Recently, on the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast, it was brought up how AEW star MJF has used the N-word in the past in his X posts. D-Von said he wasn’t aware of this but mentioned that the slur is used more commonly in the wrestling business than people believe.
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He said Hulk Hogan was rightly criticized for his racist comments over a decade ago but said he isn’t the only one who has used such words.
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“I didn’t know that either about the N-word. I didn’t know about that. Everybody got on Hogan for saying what he said and, you know, ‘He’s a racist,’ and things like that. Yes, it was wrong. But believe me when I say it: He’s not the only one. Neither one of them are the only ones who use that word on a regular basis or have said things that were inappropriate when it came to other races of people,” he said.
The WWE Hall of Famer then dropped a bombshell, saying that he has personally heard many prominent figures in pro wrestling use the word.
“There are a lot of people in the wrestling business who have said things, and I’ve heard it personally. I’m not exposing or anything, but there are a lot more people—people who are very prominent figures in professional wrestling today—who have said that. And said it back in the ’80s and ’90s and even the millennium. They’ve said it, and they used it frequently because they didn’t think they were going to get caught,” he added.
D-Von Dudley accused Jim Ross of racism in WWE
Last year, speaking on Maven’s podcast, D-Von Dudley talked about facing racism in WWE from a well-known name.
Then, in an appearance on Duke Loves Rasslin, he revealed that he was referring to legendary commentator Jim Ross.
JR responded to these accusations, saying he was shocked to hear this and said that it doesn’t merit a response from him.
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If you use quotes from this article, please credit Duke Loves Rasslin podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.
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ONE Friday Fights 168 went down on Friday at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, with bantamweight and flyweight Muay Thai headlining a card that streamed live in Asia primetime.
Wuttikrai Wor Chakrawut of Thailand came into the main event carrying immense momentum.
Iranian striker Mohammad Habibpour pressed forward with relentless aggression from the first bell, but Wuttikrai kept his composure and worked behind clean counters. A short elbow in round one opened a cut on Habibpour’s face and established a pattern that ran through much of the fight, earning Wuttikrai the decision victory.
Habibpour came out fighting through blood in the final round, throwing everything he had left. Another heavy left hook landed right before the final bell. But the early damage Wuttikrai had built up proved too much to overcome on the scorecards.
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Meanwhile, Brazil Aekmuangnon needed a response after back-to-back losses, and he delivered one in the co-main event.
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Petphupa Aekpujean controlled the opening round with sharp right hands through the middle and accurate combination work, but Brazil absorbed everything and refused to give ground.
The fight turned in round two when Brazil timed Petphupa stepping forward aggressively and landed a downward right elbow that dropped him cleanly.
Petphupa beat the count and came back swinging in the final round, but the knockdown was decisive. All three judges sided with Brazil, lifting his record to 48-15.
ONE Friday Fights 168 full results
Wuttikrai Wor Chakrawut def. Mohammad Habibpour via unanimous decision (bantamweight Muay Thai)
Manchester City will take on Manchester United at Old Trafford after playing their first Champions League game of the season
Manchester City have been handed one of their toughest Champions League games in the week of the Manchester derby – but will get more recovery than Manchester United. The Blues will head to Porto on the Tuesday before they are at Old Trafford on the Sunday, with United playing on the Thursday.
However, that week marks the start of a more congested fixture list as the Champions League starts up followed by the Carabao Cup a week later. There is only one European tie before the three-week international break at the end of September, and the Blues will travel away to Porto before United host Sabah a few days later.
City have been given statistically one of the hardest draws out of the 36 teams involved in the first phase of the Champions League, with home games against PSG, Sporting, Napoli and AEK Athens and trips to Barcelona, Porto, Leipzig and Lens.
The trip to Camp Nou will bring the Blues face to face with Rodri again following his summer move, while Josko Gvardiol (Leipzig) and Abdukodir Khusanov (Lens) will travel back to their former clubs.
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The first six games will be played before Christmas before the final two are completed in January, with a top-eight spot guaranteeing a place in the last-16 and an extra 16 places offering a play-off to make it. City finished in the top-eight last year but lost to Real Madrid in the first knockout stage.
Times and dates of Man City’s Champions League fixtures
Maidans might be one of the most democratic institutions our world has invented without ever intending to. A maidan does not care much about your surname, class, or whether you can afford a membership at a club. If you have a bat, you can play. If you don’t, you can stand at the boundary, and eventually be dragged into the game.That is not how all sporting spaces work. A sporting academy or private indoor sporting arena has some kind of exclusivity and membership fee. A maidan has a different logic. The rich and the poor can occupy the same patch of grass, even if they do not live the same lives outside it.Maidans are a public common. Public commons are places that belong to everyone and to no one at the same time.However, across the country, these maidans have been shrinking. They are being converted into sports complexes with entry fees, convention centres, marriage halls, parking lots and exhibition grounds. Some changes improve the facility. Others simply make it inaccessible for the common people.
The republic of Maidan
Fifteen or twenty years ago, if you walked through Arya Nagar, one of the busy neighbourhoods in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, you would have witnessed hundreds of people involved in sporting activities.Around the area known as Brijendra Swaroop Park were five big public maidans, each roughly 100-150 metres wide and almost 200 metres long. Children and adults, mostly men, played cricket and other sports, flew kites or stood around watching matches. On weekends, several games could take place at the same time.There was a sporting culture around the maidans. In 2026, most of that space has disappeared or has become inaccessible for normal people to play.What remains is either behind walls, occupied by newly constructed buildings, or reduced to small patches that are difficult to use for sport.Of the five maidans, one was walled and had a grass ground but remained open to the public. It was known as Palika Stadium.The ground was large enough to host two cricket matches at the same time — one on a matting wicket and another on a proper turf wicket. A cricket academy also operated there at a monthly fee that was affordable for players.The stadium was used for more than cricket. It had a basketball court and indoor space where chess and carrom tournaments were held. Schools in the neighbourhood also used it for their annual sports events.The ground next to Palika Stadium was converted into a park more than a decade ago and named Parashuram Vatika. It has proper walkways for people who come for morning and evening walks.That change was needed, and the park has become a space used regularly, particularly by old-aged people.The Palika Stadium ground itself, which stands on Kanpur Nagar Nigam land, has been divided into two parts.One half now houses an air-conditioned multi-purpose indoor sports complex with facilities including table tennis and swimming. Membership costs range from Rs 2,500 a month to more than Rs 75,000 a year.
The other half has a cricket ground and academy with floodlights. Kanpur Municipal Corporation built the facility under a public-private partnership, and a private enterprise now manages it.However, the cricket academy’s fee has increased several times since the new facility was built. More importantly, the stadium is no longer freely accessible to the public.People can use it only if they book the stadium for matches. The rental cost ranges from Rs 12,000 to Rs 85,000 per match.
From open maidans to marriage halls and exhibitions
The other three maidans opposite Palika Stadium tell a more tragic story.In front of Palika Stadium were three grounds, separated by roads. For almost a decade, one of them was used to store sewer pipes that were meant to be installed across the city. It became unavailable for sporting activities around 2010.That ground now houses the Kanpur Municipal Corporation’s “Mangal Bhavan Baarat Shaala”, a venue that offers space for marriages and other ceremonies for a fee.
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Another ground has been largely enclosed by walls. It is used for expos and exhibitions during the year. Although the public can still access it, its condition is no longer suitable for most sporting activities.The only remaining area that can still be used for some sport is a roughly 50m x 50m patch next to the walled ground.
An area that once had several grounds, each hundreds of metres across and stretching for almost 200 metres, has been reduced to a small fraction of its former sporting space. Even that remaining space is not in good condition.
Who owns the maidan?
The disappearance of open sporting spaces is not limited to Kanpur. Around 20km away, in neighbouring Unnao district, the Ram Leela ground near Hiran Nagar was also once used for sports.Today, local transport operators and tempos are regularly parked on and around the ground, making it difficult to use the space for sporting activities.In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation recently proposed converting Neville D’Souza Football Ground at Bandra Reclamation into an exhibition or convention centre. Hundreds of footballers, coaches, parents, students and citizens gathered last week to oppose the proposal. On Thursday, the Bombay High Court halted the BMC’s conversion plan, for now.“You tell us where the people will be playing football?” the Bombay High Court asked while stopping the BMC move.Mumbai has lost many of its maidans over the years. On Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and MLA Aaditya Thackeray alleged that the reservations for 17 maidans and other open spaces in Mumbai had been changed and converted for commercial or residential use.
The pattern is similar in several cities.A ground that was once meant for sport becomes a parking area, a marriage venue, an exhibition centre or a site for public events. In some cases, the space technically remains open to the public but is occupied for weeks or months every year.
Making of a sporting nation: Without maidans?
Union budget 2026–27 allocated Rs 4,479.88 crore to the sports ministry. Earlier this month, the Union Cabinet approved a Rs 29,054 crore outlay for the Khelo India Scheme for the years 2026-2031 along with Rs 7,387 crore for the Assistance to National Sports Federations Scheme (ANSF). The central government has also set aside a Rs 565 crore component for states, which they will dip into to share the cost of future sports infrastructure development projects in the five-year plan.India needs more stadiums, indoor halls, swimming pools and courts. These facilities are important for training professional athletes and hosting competitions. They help produce players who can win medals and trophies.But a sporting nation cannot be built entirely through facilities that someone has to pay to enter.Maidans serve a different purpose and play a big part in creating the sporting culture. Maidans are often the place where these to-be professional athletes first kick the ball or pick up a bat. Maidans are the hub of amateur sports; people who do not wish to play sport at a professional level. They play sports just for the love of the game.Sporting culture grows in open spaces that belong to everyone, not just inside academies or big sporting arenas. The open public maidans make playing sports an accessible thing.When these maidans disappear, sport becomes something that increasingly needs money or access to a private facility.Speaking during the ‘Khelo India Dialogue’ on Thursday, called upon youngsters to choose “playgrounds over playstations.”“More important than screens are sports centres. More important than PlayStation is the playground. And this will happen only when the youth embrace this approach,” PM Modi said.As the country celebrates National Sports Day on Saturday, for youngsters to choose the playground over the PlayStation, there first needs to be a playground left to choose.
Neeraj Chopra’s injury battles: From elbow surgery in 2019 to an ankle ligament tear in 2026 – the setbacks and comebacks that defined his career | More sports News
Neeraj Chopra’s career has been defined by historic throws, Olympic medals and a relentless pursuit of excellence. But alongside those milestones has been a recurring challenge: injuries that have repeatedly interrupted his season.Neeraj Chopra has been ruled out of the 2026 Asian Games and the remainder of the season after suffering an ankle ligament tear during training. The injury comes just days after he finished second at the Lausanne Diamond League with a season-best 88.05m. It is another frustrating setback for the two-time Olympic medallist, who had only recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff.Here is a look at the major injury setbacks that have disrupted his career.
2026: An ankle tear ends his season
Chopra’s latest injury is an ankle ligament tear sustained during training. The injury rules him out of the Asian Games, the Diamond League Final and the World Athletics Ultimate Championships, bringing his 2026 campaign to an early end.It comes after a promising return to competition following almost nine months away from the sport.
Neeraj Chopra (PTI Photo)
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2025-26: A long road back from a back injury
Chopra’s previous major setback came with a back injury that kept him away from competition for around nine months. He had competed at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo despite carrying the problem, finishing eighth. The injury subsequently forced him into an extended rehabilitation period.His comeback was delayed further in 2026, with Chopra missing the Doha Diamond League before eventually returning to competitive action.
2024: Adductor concerns before Paris
The 2024 season brought another fitness scare. Chopra withdrew from the Ostrava Golden Spike after experiencing discomfort in his adductor. Chopra subsequently opted out of the Paris Diamond League, again because of his troublesome adductor/groin issue. He later explained that he did not want to take unnecessary risks with the Paris Olympics approaching.The decision paid off as Chopra stayed fit for the Olympics and successfully defended his place on the podium, winning silver in Paris.
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2023: Three meets on the sidelines
In 2023, a muscle strain forced Chopra to miss three competitions in quick succession – the FBK Games, Paavo Nurmi Games and Ostrava Golden Spike. He missed roughly a month of competition before returning at the Lausanne Diamond League.
2022: Groin injury costs him Commonwealth Games
After winning his first World Championships medal in Eugene, Chopra suffered a groin injury that ruled him out of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. It was a major disappointment for the Indian star, who was the defending champion after winning gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
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2019: The first major interruption
One of the earliest and most significant injury setbacks of Chopra’s career came in 2019. A right elbow injury required surgery and forced him to miss the World Championships that year. It also kept him away from competition for several months. Around a 16-month competitive hiatus, before his return in January 2020.
Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis on Saturday joined a growing list of cricketers expressing solidarity with the people of Nepal after devastating floods caused widespread destruction and left hundreds dead and thousands missing.Du Plessis, who visited Nepal last year, took to X to recall his experience in the country and praised the kindness of its people as he offered his thoughts and prayers to those affected by the disaster.“I was lucky enough to visit Nepal last year and experience firsthand the kindness of its people and the incredible beauty of the country. It’s devastating to see what has happened. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, and with the families and communities facing such heartbreaking loss,” du Plessis wrote.His message came after Indian cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan had also expressed their support for those caught up in the devastating floods.
Sachin, Irfan also offer prayers
Tendulkar on Thursday shared an emotional message on X, focusing particularly on families still waiting for news of loved ones amid the ongoing rescue operations.“There is perhaps no greater uncertainty than not knowing whether someone you love is safe. My heart goes out to all the families affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, especially those still waiting for news. Praying for their loved ones and for the rescue teams working tirelessly to reach them,” Tendulkar wrote.Pathan had earlier shared a shorter but equally heartfelt message after seeing the visuals emerging from the disaster-hit regions.“My prayers are with the people of Nepal during this difficult time. Heartbreaking to see the visuals. May Nepal find strength and overcome this tough phase soon,” Pathan wrote.The messages from prominent cricketers have come as Nepal continues to deal with the devastating aftermath of floods triggered by an ice-rock avalanche following a glacial collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border. The torrent of water, mud and debris swept through parts of central Nepal, destroying homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects.
Rescue efforts continue as Nepal battles devastation
The scale of the disaster has prompted a major search, rescue and relief operation, with thousands of personnel deployed across affected areas. Nepal’s authorities have been working to reach people stranded or trapped in difficult-to-access locations, while damaged roads and continuing rainfall have complicated rescue and relief efforts.India has also stepped up its assistance to neighbouring Nepal. According to the information provided by Nepalese authorities, India has dispatched 57.6 tonnes of relief material to flood-hit areas, while an 11-member Indian team comprising medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts has arrived in Nepal following a request from Kathmandu.Nepal Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle praised India’s response to the crisis, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “exceptionally generous”. He said New Delhi had indicated that it would provide “very generous assistance for reconstruction” as Nepal moves from immediate rescue efforts towards recovery and rebuilding.Wagle said the response would take place in phases, beginning with rescuing those who can still be saved, including people stranded or trapped at hydropower plants. The Nepal Army has also been involved heavily in the rescue operation, with thousands of security personnel mobilised.
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