Discover
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How many Gold medals are won by Neeraj Chopra?
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What records and awards has Neeraj Chopra received?
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How did joining the Indian Army impact Neeraj Chopra’s career?
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Who was Neeraj Chopra’s first coach?
Who has made India famous in the world of Javelin throwing? Let’s give you a clue, he has an impressive collection of gold medals from the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships and a Diamond League title. Yes, he is another than Neeraj Chopra and this biography helps you understand more about him, his career and his achievements.
Early Life & Career
Neeraj Chopra, an Indian javelin thrower in Panipat, Haryana. He comes from a farming family and is the eldest among his siblings. Neeraj’s introduction to athletics came when he impressed javelin thrower Jaiveer Choudhary with his initial throw of 40 meters at a nearby sports centre. This began his journey into javelin throwing and he began training under coach Naseem Ahmad at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula. Currently, he is number one in the Men’s Javelin throw.
| Birthdate | 24th December 1997 |
| Age | 27 years |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Profession | Sportsperson (Javelin Throw)/ Junior Commissioned Officer at the Rajputana Rifles |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2022), Arjuna Award (2018), Vishisht Seva Medal (2020), Olympics Gold medal. |
| Education | Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) |
What is Neeraj Chopra’s Net Worth?
Neeraj Chopra’s net worth as of August 2024 is 4.5 million or Rs 37 crore.
Athletic Career
Neeraj Chopra became the under-16 national champion in javelin in 2012. He won his first international silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games qualification competition in Bangkok in 2014. In 2016, he won gold medals at the South Asian Games in Guwahati the Grand Prix in Lokeren, Belgium, and the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland. His throw of 86.48 meters in Bydgoszcz set an under-20 record. In 2017, he won first place at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneshwar, India.
In 2018, he won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in Australia and the Asian Games in Jakarta. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he won gold in the final with a throw of 87.58 meters. It made him India’s
This made him India’s first gold medalist in track and field and the nation’s second individual Olympic gold medalist after Abhinav Bindra. Moreover, he holds the national record with an 89.94-meter throw.
Despite having injuries in 2023, he won gold medals at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. In May 2024, he came second in the Doha Diamond League and won gold at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneshwar. In June, he secured another gold with an 85.97-meter throw at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland.
Joining The Indian Army
After his amazing performance at the South Asian Games, the Indian Army offered Neeraj Chopra a position as a Junior Commissioned Officer with the Rajputana Rifles. He earned the rank of Naib Subedar, a special rank for athletes. Neeraj officially joined the army in 2016 and was allowed to take leave to train. This job offer was a significant opportunity for him as it helped him support his family while continuing his training. Furthermore, in the army, he joined the Mission Olympics Wing, which supported his training for competitions.
List Of Gold Medals
What’s Next for Neeraj?
Defending champion Neeraj Chopra secured his spot in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris 2024 Olympics with an impressive 89.34m throw on his first attempt, surpassing the 84m qualification standard. This was the second-best throw of his career, just short of his national record of 89.94m set at the Stockholm Diamond League in 2022.
Neeraj, who won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with an 87.58m throw, also logged his season’s best in Paris. The final is set for August 8 at the Stade de France, where he will face tough competition from Germany’s Julian Weber, who threw 87.76m, and Grenada’s Anderson Peters, with a throw of 88.63m.
Summary
Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin throw sensation, has achieved remarkable success with gold medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, and more. From a farming family, he rose to prominence, setting national records and securing a position in the Indian Army. His journey continues as he competes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
