Neeraj Chopra is an Indian athlete who won gold in Men’s Javelin throw at the Olympics. He came in second at the World Championship and the Diamond League championship.
He’s the first Asian to win Olympic gold in this event. He’s also a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army. Neeraj has also won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games, and the Asian Championships, among other prestigious events.
He holds the national record of 89.94 m, which he achieved at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022. He is considered one of the top javelin throwers globally and is admired by many Indians.
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Neeraj Chopra Early Life and Education
Neeraj Chopra was born in a village in Haryana in 1997. He grew up in a farming family with two sisters. He became interested in Javelin throw when he saw older kids practicing at a nearby stadium. He trained under coach Naseem Ahmed at the Shivaji Stadium in Panipat, using bamboo sticks as javelins.
He later moved to Panchkula to train at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium under coach Jaiveer Singh. He also joined the DAV College in Chandigarh to pursue his education.
Major Achievements
Neeraj Chopra made his mark on the national and international stage with impressive performances and records.
He got two gold medals in athletics in 2016. The first was at the South Asian Games in Guwahati, where he broke the game’s record by throwing 82.23 m. The second was at the World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, where he set a new world junior record by throwing 86.48 m. He is an Indian who won a world title in athletics for the first time.
He made it to the 2016 Rio Olympics but couldn’t go because of a visa problem.
Neeraj Chopra won a gold medal in 2017 at the Asian Championships in Bhubaneswar. He threw 85.23 m, breaking the championship record. He participated in the London World Championships but didn’t reach the final round.
He threw 86.47 m and 88.06 m, setting new game records and becoming the first Indian to win both events. He also became the flag-bearer of India at the Asian Games opening ceremony.
Neeraj Chopra hurt his elbow in 2019 and needed surgery. He couldn’t compete for most of the year.
He missed several important competitions, including the World Championships in Doha and the Asian Championships in Doha.
He returned in early 2020 but soon faced another setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic that postponed many events, including the Tokyo Olympics. He continued to train at his base in Patiala under German coach Uwe Hohn and later Klaus Bartonietz.
Neeraj Chopra made it to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by throwing 87.86 m at an event in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He also won a gold medal at an event in Lisbon, Portugal, with a throw of 83.18 m.
At the Tokyo Olympics, he created history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal in track and field with a throw of 87.58 m in his second attempt. He beat Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch (86.67 m) and Vitezslav Vesely (85.44 m) to clinch the top spot on the podium.
He won an individual Olympic gold medal, making him the second Indian to do so after Abhinav Bindra. Also, he received a Param Vishisht Seva Medal from President Ram Nath Kovind for his feat.
Neeraj Chopra did well in 2022. He broke his national record twice. He threw 89.30 m at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku and 89.94 m at the Stockholm Diamond League.
He also won the Diamond League trophy by throwing 88.44 m at the Zurich Final, becoming the first Indian to do so.
Impact and Contribution to Indian Sports and Society
Neeraj Chopra’s impact and contribution to Indian sports and society have been immense. He has inspired millions of young Indians to pursue their dreams and excel in their chosen fields.
His historic achievements have also brought glory and pride to the nation. Various institutions and authorities have honored him for his excellence and service. Some of his awards and honors include:
- Arjuna Award (2018) – India’s second-highest sporting honor
- Vishisht Seva Medal (2020) – A military award for distinguished service
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021) – India’s highest sporting honor
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2022) – The highest military award for peace-time service
- Padma Shri (2022) – The fourth-highest civilian award in India
Neeraj Chopra is now a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army with the rank of Subedar. It shows how disciplined and dedicated he is.
Future Goals
Neeraj Chopra’s future goals and aspirations include:
- Breaking the 90-meter barrier.
- Defending his Olympic title in Paris 2024.
- Winning more medals for India on the global stage.
He also wants to promote javelin throw and athletics in India and encourage more youngsters to participate. He faces some challenges and opportunities ahead, such as maintaining his fitness and form, coping with the expectations and pressure, and competing with the best in the world.
Conclusion
Neeraj Chopra is one of the greatest athletes and personalities that India has ever produced. He has achieved remarkable feats in the javelin throw and made history for himself and his country.
He has shown his qualities and strengths as a champion, such as talent, hard work, perseverance, humility, and patriotism.
His inspiring story and actions have positively impacted many people’s lives. His fans and peers respect and admire him. He is a true role model for India and the world.
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