Overview
- AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla confirmed Chopra is on a break and focusing on rehabilitation from two injuries sustained before the 2025 Worlds.
- His 2026 season opener remains undecided, with Sumariwalla noting the competitive calendar is with coach Jan Zelezny and recovery will guide the timing.
- AFI released Asian Games qualifying standards that require participation in state meets or two AFI events, with final decisions left to the selection committee.
- The National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar on July 8–12 will be the last major domestic selection event before the Asian Games.
- Sumariwalla indicated Chopra could be permitted to skip domestic events, as AIU lists only Chopra and Sachin Yadav from India in its Registered Testing Pool and AFI has asked NADA to ramp up testing at state meets.