PTC Web Desk:  Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra returned to the podium on Saturday, winning silver in the men's javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It wasn't his best performance on paper, but after 18 months of injury setbacks, it was a result that meant far more than the numbers suggested.

Chopra later admitted that fear, not the cold Scottish weather, was his toughest opponent on the night.

A podium finish after months of struggle

This was Chopra's first medal at a major international event in nearly a year. A persistent lower back problem has troubled him since last September, shaking the confidence that once made him one of the most fearless throwers in the world.

Even his competitive comeback at the Doha Diamond League in June came with visible caution. In Glasgow, that caution was still evident, but so was his class.

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His best throw of the evening, 85.83m, came on his second attempt and was enough to secure the silver medal. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage took gold with a massive 89.75m, narrowly missing the 90m mark.

In a bonus for India, 24-year-old Yash Vir Singh,  competing at his first Commonwealth Games, produced a career-best 85.41m on his final throw to grab bronze, completing a memorable double podium for the country.

'I was scared," Neeraj Chopra admits

Speaking after the event, Neeraj Chopra didn't hide how difficult the mental side of his comeback has been.

He said his recovery is progressing well, adding that as an Indian athlete, he has never been a fan of cold weather. He called returning to the podium a satisfying feeling and a reflection of the training he has put in during his rehabilitation.

He was candid about what held him back on the runway. According to Chopra, when an athlete is fully fit, they carry the confidence to push through anything,  but injury changes that mindset completely, filling the mind with doubt rather than aggression. He confirmed that fear was very much present for him even on this particular night, explaining that he deliberately held back his effort to protect his body rather than risk another setback.

That caution was visible in his technique. Instead of his usual explosive run-up, Chopra looked deliberately controlled,  a sign of an athlete protecting his body as much as chasing distance.

Pathirage dominates, Nadeem struggles

Conditions in Glasgow were far from ideal, with cold temperatures and gusty winds troubling the entire field. Despite this, Pathirage continued his standout season, launching his 89.75m throw in round two and holding on to gold even after fouling every attempt that followed.

Neeraj Chopra briefly held the lead after his second throw before being overtaken by the Sri Lankan star. His remaining legal throws measured 81.29m and 80.73m, with his final two attempts ruled fouls.

It was a disappointing night for Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Olympic and defending Commonwealth Games champion, who was eliminated after just three rounds with a best effort of 77.41m.

India's third entrant, Rohit Yadav, finished seventh overall with a throw of 81.56m.

Eyes on Asian Games

Neeraj Chopra was honest about where he currently stands physically, saying he is not yet back to his best but is steadily improving. With the Asian Games still some time away, he said he plans to compete in another Diamond League event before then and expects further gains in form.

He added that while every Indian athlete dreams of standing on top of the podium to the sound of the national anthem, achieving a season-best mark during his comeback was, in itself, a result worth celebrating.

This silver adds to Chopra's Commonwealth Games collection, following his gold medal at the 2018 Gold Coast edition,  proof that even a not-fully-fit Neeraj Chopra remains one of the best in the world.