Rajnath Singh confers Honorary Lt Colonel rank on Olympic champ Neeraj Chopra

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday conferred the insignia of the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army to star javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra during a pipping ceremony held at South Block here.

Neeraj, who was enrolled in the Indian Army as a Junior Commissioned Officer in the rank of Naib Subedar on August 26, 2016, has served with The Rajputana Rifles. The javelin ace created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

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He went on to extend his dominance by clinching gold at the World Athletics Championships in 2023 and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

During the ceremony, Singh interacted with Chopra and his family members, praising him as “an epitome of perseverance, patriotism and the Indian spirit of striving for excellence.” The event was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and other senior officials of the Indian Army and Territorial Army.

“Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra embodies the highest ideals of discipline, dedication and national pride, serving as an inspiration to generations within the sporting fraternity and the Armed Forces alike,” said Rajnath Singh.

Neeraj’s glittering career includes multiple gold medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Diamond League events. His personal best throw of 90.23 metres (2025) remains a landmark in Indian sporting history.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements and exemplary service to the nation, Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra was granted an Honorary Commission in the Territorial Army by President Droupadi Murmu on April 16 this year.

He has earlier been honoured with several India’s highest sporting and civilian awards, including the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, Arjuna award, Param Vishisht Seva medal and Vishisht Seva medal.