Neeraj Chopra, Javelin Thrower
Javelin Thrower

Neeraj Chopra

Born 24 December 1997 · verify

Winning the Olympic gold medal in javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Lieutenant Colonel Neeraj Chopra is an Indian javelin thrower. He has won gold medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships and Asian Games. Chopra has won the Diamond League once. He won the Olympic gold medal in 2020 and became the first Asian javelin thrower to do so.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Neeraj Chopra remains the only Indian athlete to win an individual Olympic gold medal on his Olympic debut, a feat achieved in Tokyo 2020 at age 23.

The Story

1
🌟 In 2016, at the World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Neeraj Chopra set a world junior record with a javelin throw of 86.48 meters, marking the first time an Indian athlete set a world record in athletics.
2
In 2020, at the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021, Chopra clinched the gold medal with a throw of 87.58 meters, becoming the first Asian javelin thrower to win Olympic gold and the youngest Indian to win an individual Olympic gold on debut.
3By 2023, Chopra won gold at the World Athletics Championships, the first Asian to do so in javelin, solidifying his status on the global athletics stage.
4From June 2021 to September 2025, Chopra finished in the top two in 26 consecutive international tournaments, second only to javelin world record holder Jan Železný for longest such streak in history.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Olympic Gold Medal
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World Championships Gold
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Diamond League Champion

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

In 2016, Chopra became the first Indian to set a world record in athletics by throwing 86.48 meters at the World U20 Championships in Poland.

🖼️

Through the Years

5 photographs from the archives
President Kovind confers Arjuna Award 2018 upon Neeraj Chopra for his outstanding athletic achievements (2018)
President Kovind confers Arjuna Award 2018 upon Neeraj Chopra for his outstanding athletic achievements (2018)
2018
Neeraj Chopra receiving the Arjuna Award 2018 from President Kovind for his gold medals in 2017-18 (2018)
Neeraj Chopra at the Bauhaus Galan athletics meet in Stockholm (2022)
Neeraj Chopra competing at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest (2023)
Neeraj Chopra on the podium at the men's javelin throw event during the 2024 Summer Olympics (2024)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Khandra, Haryana
Neeraj Chopra was born into a farming family in Panipat district, Haryana, India.
1997
⚡
Career
Started formal javelin training
Moved to Panchkula and trained at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, beginning focused javelin practice.
2010
⚡
Career
World U20 Championship Gold
Set junior world record with 86.48m throw at Bydgoszcz, Poland, winning gold.
2016
⚡
Career
Joined Indian Army
Recruited into Indian Army and joined Mission Olympics Wing for elite athlete training.
2016
🏅
Award
Olympic Gold Medal at Tokyo
Won gold medal with 87.58m throw, India's first Olympic gold in athletics.
2021
🏅
Award
World Athletics Championship Gold
Became first Asian to win javelin gold at the World Championships.
2023
🌟
Other
Launched Vel Sports
Started his own athlete management company after parting with JSW Sports.
2024
🌟
Other
Marriage to Himani Mor
Married former tennis player and coach Himani Mor.
2025
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Chopra maintained a top-two finish streak in 26 consecutive international javelin events from 2021 to 2025, a record second only to Jan Železný.

02 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

He was the first male Indian athlete featured on the cover of Vogue India in 2021, reflecting his crossover appeal beyond sports.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Chopra joined the Indian Army in 2016 and holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, blending military service with sports.

“

"It feels unbelievable. This is our first Olympic medal for a very long time…so it’s a proud moment for me and my country."

— Neeraj Chopra

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Neeraj Chopra Interview में Olympics, Arshad Nadeem, शादी, 90 मीटर थ्रो पर क्या बोले? Javelin | GITN
·YouTube
More from this archive
Neeraj Chopra Interview में Olympics, Arshad Nadeem, शादी, 90 मीटर थ्रो पर क्या बोले? Javelin | GITN
01
Neeraj Chopra Interview में Olympics, Arshad Nadeem, शादी, 90 मीटर थ्रो पर क्या बोले? Javelin | GITN
YouTube
Rajnath Singh, Army chief honour Olympic Champion Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra at pipping ceremony
02
Rajnath Singh, Army chief honour Olympic Champion Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra at pipping ceremony
YouTube
Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel
03
Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel
YouTube
#InspireStories with Neeraj Chopra - Ep. 1 - The Early Years
04
#InspireStories with Neeraj Chopra - Ep. 1 - The Early Years
YouTube
🇮🇳🥇 Neeraj Chopra wins historic gold for India | #Tokyo2020 Highlights
05
🇮🇳🥇 Neeraj Chopra wins historic gold for India | #Tokyo2020 Highlights
YouTube
When Neeraj Chopra made history at #Tokyo2020 ❤️ #WorldAthleticsChamps
06
When Neeraj Chopra made history at #Tokyo2020 ❤️ #WorldAthleticsChamps
YouTube
🇮🇳 Neeraj Chopra qualifies for men's javelin throw final | Paris 2024 highlights
07
🇮🇳 Neeraj Chopra qualifies for men's javelin throw final | Paris 2024 highlights
YouTube
Neeraj Chopra 🇮🇳 wins the Golden Spike Ostrava 2025 with a throw of 85.29m in his 3rd attempt
08
Neeraj Chopra 🇮🇳 wins the Golden Spike Ostrava 2025 with a throw of 85.29m in his 3rd attempt
YouTube
Neeraj Chopra: The Journey of India's Golden Javelin Hero! | Telugu Podcast | Voice of Mogasala
09
Neeraj Chopra: The Journey of India's Golden Javelin Hero! | Telugu Podcast | Voice of Mogasala
YouTube
Neeraj Chopra ने India Sports Honours में हरियाणवी मे दिया भाषण Bollywood वालो ने की तारीफ़
10
Neeraj Chopra ने India Sports Honours में हरियाणवी मे दिया भाषण Bollywood वालो ने की तारीफ़
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic and World Championship victories redefined Indian athletics, inspiring renewed investment in javelin throw and track-and-field sports infrastructure. His integration into the Indian Army’s Mission Olympics Wing set a precedent for military support to elite athletes. Furthermore, his entrepreneurial move with Vel Sports signals a shift toward athlete-led management enterprises in India.

💬 Social Buzz

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