Neeraj Chopra turns 28: India’s record-breaking javelin star

India’s javelin star, Neeraj Chopra turned 28 on Wednesday, having emerged as one of the figures who has reshaped Indian athletics on the global stage.

Chopra created history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 by winning a gold medal in track and field, making him the first Indian athlete to achieve the feat. He followed it up with another gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships becoming the first Indian world champion in athletics. In the following year, he won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024 adding another accolade to his list of achievements.

Advertisement

Hailing from Khandra village in Haryana’s Panipat district, Chopra has earned widespread recognition for his achievements and his association with the Armed Forces, bringing immense pride to the nation along with his medals.

Recording his personal best throw of 90.23 metres in 2025, Chopra marked a historic achievement for Indian athletics. Over the years, he has amassed multiple titles from Asian Games to Commonwealth Games to Diamond League events and also had the honour of opening the season at the Potch Invitational in South Africa with a victory. Later, in May, he finished second at the Doha Diamond League where he achieved his landmark 90.23m throw. Finishing as the runner-up at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland soon after, he succeeded with winning back-to-back titles at the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike.

Off the tracks, Neeraj Chopra and his wife, Himani Mor had the honour of being hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence on Tuesday 23 December 2025 where they spoke on various topics and sports as well.

He has also been conferred upon the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during a ceremony in New Delhi. The event was attended by General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff among other senior officials of the Indian Army. He has also been the recipient of multiple prestigious national awards including the Padma Shri, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal.