Neeraj Chopra’s name has become synonymous with excellence, instilling pride and serving as a beacon of inspiration for India. He etched his name in history as the first Indian to clinch an Olympic gold medal in athletics, following the footsteps of the revered Abhinav Bindra. Distinguished as the sole Indian to simultaneously grasp titles in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics, Chopra is currently in the spotlight at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. His standout season-best javelin throw of 88.77 meters earned him a spot in the finals.
The roots of Chopra’s remarkable ascent trace back to his birth in a village in Khandra, Haryana, on December 24, 1997. His journey into javelin throwing was ignited by YouTube videos featuring the legendary German athlete Jan Zelezny. Under the mentorship of Coach Naseem Ahmed at Panipat’s Shivaji Stadium, Chopra’s raw potential quickly blossomed.
Debuting internationally at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati, Chopra seized the gold medal with an 82.23-meter throw. Yet, it was at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, where he etched his name in history by breaking the junior world record with an 86.48-meter throw, marking India’s first-ever world title in athletics.
Chopra’s triumphs continued in 2018, as he clinched gold at both the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast and the Asian Games in Jakarta. His prowess culminated in a national record of 88.06 meters at the Doha Diamond League meet in 2019.
Overcoming adversity, 2019 saw Chopra grappling with an elbow injury that required surgery, sidelining him for more than a year. The setback forced him to miss the 2019 World Championships in Doha. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic compounded challenges by disrupting his training and Tokyo Olympics preparations.
Unyielding in the face of adversity, Chopra roared back in 2020, securing a Tokyo Olympics qualification with an 87.86-meter throw in South Africa’s ACNW League Meeting. Triumphantly, he secured gold at the Kuortane Games in Finland with an 86.79-meter throw.
The pinnacle of Chopra’s journey arrived on August 7, 2021, when he etched his name in the annals of history by clinching gold at the Tokyo Olympics with an awe-inspiring throw of 87.58 meters. Akin to the great Zelezny, Chopra’s first attempt secured his victory, setting a record as the second athlete to accomplish this feat. Notably, he became the first non-European and non-North American athlete to secure Olympic gold in javelin throw.
Chopra’s accomplishments have propelled him into the limelight, drawing admiration from fans, media, celebrities, and political figures. He has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor, and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the nation’s pinnacle civilian honor for sports.
With his sights set on further glory, Chopra enters the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a season-best javelin throw of 88.77 meters, solidifying his position in the finals. A formidable challenge awaits from his arch-rival Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, who clinched bronze at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene. Scheduled for Sunday, August 27, at 7:15 pm local time (10:45 pm IST), the javelin throw finals promise high-octane competition.
Beyond his exceptional athletic achievements, Neeraj Chopra is a symbol of legendary status, a hero who encapsulates India’s pride. His journey is one of unwavering determination, showcasing that with hard work and resilience, the extraordinary is achievable. In Neeraj Chopra, India has not just an exceptional javelin thrower, but a living legend and an embodiment of inspiration.
