Top para athlete Neeraj Yadav dies by suicide

Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav has died by suicide after consuming poison at his residence, with the athlete reportedly under emotional stress following a doping suspension that ruled him out of the Games in Japan and the end of his friendship with a woman.

His body was taken to Delhi’s GTB Hospital for a postmortem examination on Wednesday. The circumstances surrounding his death are yet to be established.

“I don’t understand why he took this extreme step when there are so many avenues for para-athletes to earn a livelihood. He could have become a coach. Things have changed for para-athletes compared to 40 years ago.

“He had also received good prize money for the gold he won at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta,” he added.

The F55 classification is used for seated field events in para-athletics, including the shot put, discus and javelin.