Neeraj Chopra Biography: A detailed view at his family background, javelin career, national and global wins

Paris Olympics 2024: Neeraj Chopra is a name known to kids and elders alike for his contribution to placing India on the Global maps of Javelin. From sports fields to TV reels, the Olympic Gold winner has achieved unfathomable heights in his career as a Javelin thrower. '

 

 

 

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Here is all you need to know about the star athlete Neerja Chopra.  

Who is Neerja Chopra?

For those who are still unfamiliar with this popular name in the country, Neeraj Chopra is a groundbreaking Javelin thrower from India with several national and International records to his name. He is the first Asian to win an Olympic gold medal in Men’s javelin throw and also holds the Indian national record for javelin throw. 

 

 

 

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Life & Education 

Hailing from Panipat, Haryana, Neeraj was born on 24 December 1997 in a family firm rooted in the agricultural sector. His schooling was from BVN Public School with graduation from Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College, Chandigarh. He is now pursuing a Bachelor of Arts from Lovely Professional University. 

Introduction to Sports 

Chopra faced bullying for his weight and obesity as a child which turned him to a gymnasium. His affair with his prized javelin started with a fascination of watching javelin throwers practice at Shivaji Stadium. What started as a self-training in javelin throw became his identity when another Javelin athlete Akshay Choudhary saw the budding potential in him and decided to train him under his tutelage.

 

 

 

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Chopra learned about the foundation of a javelin from Choudhary and won his first-ever medal, a bronze at the district championship. Since then, the way has only been up for Chopra. Let’s take a look at the fruits his hard work and dedication have borne him.  

National/International Achievements       

2012-2018

• The record throw of 68.40 meters won him his maiden national junior gold medal
• South Asian Games 2016: His personal best of 82.23 won him gold at IAAF World U20 Championships 2016: Won gold, set a world junior record, and made a national record of 86.48 meter 
• Commonwealth Games 2018: Won gold with a 86.47-meter throw; broke the national record for Doha Diamond League within 87.43 meter 
• Asian Games 2018: Winning gold with a record throw of 88.06 meter  

2019-2021 

• Tokyo Olympics 2020: Elbow injury led to missed chance at World Championship 2019; Made his Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, topping his qualifying group with a throw of 86.65 meters.
• Won the gold medal with a throw of 87.58 meters, becoming the first Indian Olympian to win gold in athletics.

2022-2023 

• Asian Games 2022: Won gold with an 88.88-meter throw 
• Paavo Nurmi Games 2022: National record with 89.30 meter throw setting a new personal best 
• In 2022, Won the Lausanne Diamond League and the Diamond League Final
• In 2023 topped the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 88.67 enter and became the first Indian to top the men’s Javelin throw ranking by World Athletics  of 88.17 meters

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Chopra readily accepted the position of Junior Commissioned Officer- Naib Subedar in December 2016 in the 4 Rajputana Rifles unit where he was promoted to a subedar after winning Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold.

On January 26, 2022, Neeraj Chopra received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for excellence in sports. 

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Chopra is the beacon of hope promising win in his category with his track record of winning gold and becoming the only individual to win gold in their Olympic debut.