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Neeraj Chopra

(Inspiring a New Era in Indian Athletics)

About Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra’s success has popularised javelin throw, inspiring a new generation of athletes. As he puts it:

"Now everyone in India knows what a javelin is. That’s what makes me happiest."

Early Life & Introduction to Javelin

Neeraj Chopra was born on 24th December 1997, in a small village near Panipat, Haryana, into a family of farmers.
Neeraj’s encounter with the javelin began during his visits to a sports stadium in Panipat. His natural ability to throw the javelin over 40 meters without any formal training stood out and caught the attention of a local coach.
- Recognising Neeraj’s potential, he guided him during the initial phase of his journey.
As his interest in the sport grew, Neeraj shifted to a Sports Complex in Panchkula, where he began more rigorous training under coach Naseem Ahmad.
- This structured coaching, coupled with Neeraj's natural talent and dedication, laid the groundwork for his extraordinary career in javelin throwing.

Awards and Achievements

Event	Year/Edition	Details
International Achievements
Olympic Games	Paris 2024	Secured silver medal, finishing behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who set an Olympic record.
	Tokyo 2020	Won gold medal, becoming the first Indian track-and-field athlete to secure Olympic gold.
World Athletics Championships	Budapest 2023	Achieved the title of world champion, defeating Arshad Nadeem and Jakub Vadlejch.
	Eugene 2022	Won silver medal, becoming the first Indian male athlete to win a medal at the World Championships.
Diamond League	Eugene Final 2023	Secured second place, showcasing consistent performance.
	Zurich Final 2022	Became the first Indian to win the Diamond League Trophy with an outstanding performance.
Asian Games	Hangzhou 2023	Defended his title and won a gold medal.
	Jakarta 2018	Won gold medal, dominating the competition.
Commonwealth Games	Gold Coast 2018	Won a gold medal, continuing his golden streak.
Asian Athletics Championships	2017	Secured a gold medal with an exceptional performance.
IAAF World U20 Championships	2016	Won a gold medal with a record-breaking throw, setting a world junior record and making history.
South Asian Games	2016	Won a gold medal.
National Achievements
Federation Cup	2024	Won a gold medal
National Open Championships	2015	Secured a gold medal.
Inter-State Senior Championship	2015	Won his first medal.
National Champion (Under-16)	End of 2012	Became the U-16 national champion in javelin throw.

Major Awards

Padma Shri Award: 2022
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: 2021
Vishist Seva Medal (VSM): 2020 – Awarded for his excellence in sports.
Arjuna Award: 2018 – In recognition of his excellence in athletics.

Significance of his Achievements

Neeraj Chopra’s accomplishments have not only elevated Indian athletics on the global stage but also inspired the young generation to take up sports like javelin throw, traditionally overshadowed by cricket in India. From a small village in Haryana to becoming an Olympic gold medalist, Neeraj’s journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and determination.