In the history of Indian Sports chronicles, Neeraj Chopra wrote a chapter of success on 27th August 2023 by winning India’s first gold at the World Athletics Championships 2023. He is a 25-year-old Indian Javelin Throw Champion who won Gold in Men’s Javelin at the World Athletics Championships at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary. With a foul in the first throw, Neeraj Chopra’s final match made him achieve another token of success with his excellence by launching the Javelin to 88.17m in his second attempt.
Defeated by Neeraj Chopra (India), Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan) gained the second position in the World Athletics Championships 2023.
Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra’s performance was praised in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tweet, stating,
“The talented @Neeraj_chopra1 exemplifies excellence. His dedication, precision and passion make him not just a champion in athletics but a symbol of unparalleled excellence in the entire sports world. Congrats to him for winning the Gold at the World Athletics Championships.”
Neeraj Chopra ’s Early Life and Introduction to Athletics
- Javelin throw Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra’s name resonates with excellence in the world of athletics.
- Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village, Panipat, Haryana, India, Chopra exhibited an innate passion for sports from a young age, leading him to discover his prodigious talent in javelin throwing.
- Growing up in a rural setting, he faced his fair share of challenges, but his determination and drive propelled him forward.
- Neeraj Chopra competed in his first international competition, the World Youth Championships in Ukraine in 2013.
- In 2014, he won his first international medal, a silver medal in the Youth Olympics qualification in Bangkok. At the 2014 senior nationals, he threw for the first time above 70 meters.
- His most enormous throw was recorded for 89.94m at the Stockholm Diamond League 2022.
Neeraj Chopra ’s Achievements & Awards
- Neeraj won India’s first gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.
- He was the second Indian to win a medal at a World Athletics Championships with his silver medal in the 2022 World Championships.
- He is one of just two Indians to have won an individual Olympic gold medal (the other being Abhinav Bindra) as of 2021, the youngest Indian Olympic gold champion in an individual sport, and the only athlete to have won gold on his Olympic debut.
- Chopra competed in both the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Asian Games, acting as the latter’s flag carrier, and won gold medals in both.
| Year | National Awards |
| 2018 | Arjuna Award |
| 2020 (Republic Day Honours) | Vishisht Seva Medal |
| 2021 | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (Highest sporting honor of India) |
| 2022 (Republic Day Honours) | Param Vishisht Seva Medal |
| 2022 (Republic Day Honours) | Padma Shri (Fourth highest civilian honor) |
Claiming Gold on the Grand Stage
The first turning point in Neeraj Chopra’s career was the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. He clinched the gold medal with a remarkable throw of 88.06 meters, becoming the first Indian javelin thrower to win a gold medal at the Asian Games. This victory marked a significant milestone not only for Chopra but also for Indian athletics as a whole. The latest gold won by him is at the World Athletics Championships 2023.
Neeraj Chopra ‘s Vision for the Future
Neeraj Chopra’s journey from a small village in Haryana to an Olympic gold medalist is nothing short of inspirational. His biography exemplifies the power of perseverance, determination, and leadership. Chopra’s achievements on the field are matched by his humility and commitment to giving back to the sports community. As he continues to shine as an athlete and a leader, he paves the way for future generations to dream big and achieve even bigger.
As a leader, Neeraj Chopra envisions a future where athletics in India receives the attention and support it deserves. He advocates for improved training facilities, better coaching, and increased opportunities for athletes nationwide.
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