Neeraj Chopra: India’s Golden Javelin Thrower

Neeraj Chopra is a name synonymous with Indian sports excellence. He is a javelin thrower who made history by becoming the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics. His victory at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was a watershed moment for Indian sports.

Subedar Major Neeraj Chopra PVSM VSM OLY (born 24 December 1997) is an Indian track and field athlete competing in javelin throw. He became the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal after he won the gold medal at the 2020 Olympics. He was also the first Asian to win gold in the javelin throw event after his win at the 2023 World Championship.

• Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, not the gold. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem clinched the gold in a historic win.

Chopra’s achievements remain incredibly impressive, and this minor detail doesn’t diminish his status as a sporting icon. He’s still the first Indian to win an Olympic gold in athletics and holds numerous other records and titles.

Early life and Education

Early Life

Born in the humble village of Khandra in the Panipat district of Haryana, India, Neeraj Chopra comes from an agricultural family. His father, Satish Kumar, is a farmer, and his mother, Saroj Devi, is a homemaker. Growing up in a large family, Neeraj was the eldest of three siblings.

Education

Neeraj completed his early education at a local school in his village. He later moved to Chandigarh to pursue his higher studies at Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) College. Despite his growing athletic prowess, he maintained a focus on academics.  

It’s interesting to note that Neeraj’s journey to becoming a world-class athlete began with overcoming weight issues. To address this, he joined a local gymnasium, where he discovered his talent for javelin throw.  

Neeraj Chopra’s Early Career

Neeraj Chopra’s journey from a village boy to a global sporting icon began with humble beginnings.

• Discovery of Talent: Initially struggling with weight issues, Neeraj joined a local gymnasium to improve his fitness. It was here that he was introduced to javelin throw. His natural ability was quickly apparent as he could throw over 40 meters without formal training.
• Mentorship: Recognizing Neeraj’s potential, experienced javelin thrower Jaiveer Choudhary took him under his wing. Under Choudhary’s guidance, Neeraj honed his skills and began to make significant progress.
• Early Success: By 2012, Neeraj had clinched the under-16 national javelin title. His rise through the ranks continued with subsequent national-level medals.
• International Debut: In 2014, Neeraj secured a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games qualification competition in Bangkok, marking his first international recognition.

These early successes laid the foundation for what would become a meteoric rise in the world of athletics. Neeraj’s dedication, coupled with his exceptional talent, propelled him towards achieving greater heights.

Key Achievements

• Olympic Gold Medalist (2020): The first Indian to win an Olympic gold in athletics.
• World Champion (2023): The first Asian to win the World Athletics Championships gold in javelin throw.
• Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist (2018)
• Asian Games Gold Medalist (2018, 2022)
• World U20 Champion and Record Holder