From Olympic gold to world champ - All you need to know about Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra, the ace Indian javelin thrower, created history after winning gold at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on August 27, 2023. With the feat, Chopra became the first Indian ever to win a gold at the World Athletics. The only other India apart from Chopra is Anju Bobby George who won a bronze medal in the long jump in the 2003 Paris edition of the event.

Neeraj Chopra's family and early life?

Chopra was born in Panipat in the Indian state of Haryana on December 24, 1997, to an agriculture-based family. He is currently a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, Rajputana Rifles.

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Results at major tournaments

Neeraj Chopra first hit the limelight with gold at the 2016 World U20 Championship in Poland. He then won four gold medals in 2018 including at Commonwealth Games in Australia and Asian Games in Jakarta. The other events where Chopra made golden throws were the 2018 Sotteville Athletics Meet in France and the 2018 Savo Games in Finland.

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Going into the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Chopra emerged as a dark horse as he went on to win the gold medal - India's second overall individual gold medal in the Olympics and maiden in track and field. Only shooter Abhinav Bindra had won an individual gold at the Olympics before Neeraj Chopra for India.

Following the 2021 Olympics, Chopra participated in the 2022 World Athletics Championships and won India's first silver medal at the prestigious event. Come 2023, Neeraj capped off his great performances in 2023 with a maiden gold at the World Athletics Championships.

Neeraj Chopra Awards

Neeraj Chopra was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2018, and the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) by the Indian Army in 2020. In 2021, Chopra was given India's highest sporting honour - Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. In 2022 He was again awarded by the Indian Army with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal before being conferred with Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian honour on 2022 Republic Day.

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