Neeraj Chopra Biography
Here’s a full and up-to-date biography of Neeraj Chopra, one of India’s most celebrated athletes and a global icon in javelin throw:
Early Life & Background
Full Name: Neeraj Chopra
Date of Birth: December 24, 1997
Birthplace: Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, India
Family: Born into a farming family—father Satish Kumar (farmer), mother Saroj Devi (homemaker)
Siblings: Eldest of three children
As a child, Neeraj was overweight, which led his family to enroll him in a gym. That’s where he discovered javelin throw at Shivaji Stadium in Panipat, sparking a lifelong passion.
Education & Military Service
Studied at DAV College, Chandigarh, and later pursued a degree at Lovely Professional University
Joined the Indian Army in 2016 as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Rajputana Rifles.
Currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army
Athletic Career & Achievements
Neeraj Chopra is widely regarded as one of the greatest javelin throwers in history, with a record of consistent excellence:
Olympic Games
Gold Medal – Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021): First Indian to win Olympic gold in athletics
Silver Medal – Paris 2024: Cemented his legacy as a multiple Olympic medalist
World Championships
Gold – Budapest 2023
Silver – Eugene 2022
Other Major Titles
Commonwealth Games Gold – Gold Coast 2018
Asian Games Gold – Jakarta 2018 and Hangzhou 2022
Diamond League Champion – Zurich 2022
World U20 Champion – Bydgoszcz 2016, where he set a world junior record of 86.48m
Personal Best
90.23 meters – National Record (2025)
Awards & Honors
Padma Shri (2022) – India’s fourth-highest civilian award
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021) – India’s highest sporting honor
Arjuna Award (2018)
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) – For distinguished service in the Indian ArmyParam Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) – Awarded in 2024 for exceptional service.
Personal Life
Spouse: Married Himani Mor in 2025
Despite his fame, Neeraj is known for his humility, discipline, and grounded personality.
Legacy & Impact
First Indian to win Olympic gold in athletics
First Asian to win World Championship gold in javelin
Holds a 24-competition podium streak since 2020
A role model for millions, especially in rural India, inspiring a new generation of athletes
Neeraj Chopra’s journey from a small village in Haryana to the top of the global athletics podium is nothing short of legendary.
Neeraj Chopra Achievement
Neeraj Chopra’s achievements are nothing short of historic—he’s not just India’s golden boy in athletics, he’s a global icon in javelin throw. Here’s a full breakdown of his accomplishments as of 2025:
Olympic Games
Gold Medal – Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021): First Indian to win Olympic gold in athletics. His throw of 87.58 meters made history.
Silver Medal – Paris 2024: Cemented his legacy as a double Olympic medalist.
World Athletics Championships
Gold – Budapest 2023: First Asian to win gold in javelin at the World Championships.
Silver – Eugene 2022: Continued his podium streak with a throw of 88.13 meters.
Diamond League
Champion – Zurich 2022: First Indian to win the Diamond League Final in javelin.
Podium Finishes: Multiple top-three finishes in 2023 and 2024, including Brussels and Eugene meets.
Asian Games
Gold – Jakarta 2018
Gold – Hangzhou 2022: Dominated the field with consistent throws over 88 meters.
Commonwealth Games
Gold – Gold Coast 2018: Became a household name in India after this win.
Junior & Regional Titles
World U20 Champion – Bydgoszcz 2016: Set a world junior record of 86.48 meters, still unbeaten.
Asian Championships Gold – 2017
South Asian Games Gold – 2016
Asian U20 Silver – 2016
Personal Best
90.23 meters – National Record (2025): First Indian to cross the 90-meter mark in javelin.
Awards & Honors
Padma Shri (2022)
Khel Ratna Award (2021)
Arjuna Award (2018)
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) – 2024
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) – For service in the Indian Army
Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army
Neeraj has also maintained a 24-competition podium streak since 2020, a feat unmatched in global javelin history.
