Neeraj Chopra, born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra Village, Panipat, Haryana, is an Indian javelin thrower who has risen from humble beginnings to become a global sports icon.
Growing up in a modest, agriculture-based family, Chopra’s early life was deeply rooted in rural traditions. Despite this, his ambitions soared far beyond the confines of his village, driven by unwavering family support and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Age | 26 years old |
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1997 |
| Height | 178 cm (approximately 5 feet 11 inches) |
| Weight | 86 kilograms |
| Physical Build | Athletic build, integral to javelin success |
Standing at 178 cm tall and weighing 86 kilograms, Chopra's physical attributes are perfectly suited to his sport. He balanced his athletic career with education, earning a BA from Lovely Professional University in 2021.
Chopra made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by winning the men’s javelin event with a throw of 87.58 meters, becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. This victory not only brought him global recognition but also marked a significant milestone in Indian sports history.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Chopra serves as a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Rajputana Rifles. His career has been greatly influenced by Coach Uwe Hohn, under whose guidance he ascended to become the world number one in javelin throw.
Neeraj Chopra's journey from a small village to the pinnacle of global sports is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and the support system around him. His achievements have made him a beacon of inspiration, not just in Indian athletics, but across the sporting world.
2019 Injury and Surgery: Neeraj Chopra was sidelined from the 2019 World Championships in Doha due to bone spurs in his right elbow, leading to surgery on May 3, 2019, in Mumbai.
Rehabilitation: Post-surgery, Chopra focused on meditation and rehabilitation at Patiala and the Inspire Institute of Sport in Vijayanagar. He trained in South Africa under Klaus Bartoneitz from November 2019.
Return to Competition: Chopra made a successful comeback in January 2020 with a throw of 87.86 meters at a competition in Potchefstroom, South Africa, qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics.
Training Disruptions: The COVID-19 pandemic forced Chopra to return to India in March 2020, where he trained at NIS Patiala and attended a training camp at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar from December 2020 to February 2021.
Record Achievement: On March 5, 2021, Chopra set a new national record with a throw of 88.07 meters, ranking him third in the world.
Visa and Training Issues: Chopra faced visa challenges for training in Sweden but eventually traveled to Paris and Portugal for training and competition.
Olympic Debut: Chopra competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, starting on August 4, 2021, where he represented India.
Qualifying Success: He led his qualifying group with a throw of 86.65 meters.
Gold Medal Achievement: On August 7, 2021, Chopra won the gold medal with a throw of 87.58 meters, becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal.
Historic Impact: His victory contributed to India’s highest medal count at the Tokyo Olympics and made him the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
June 2022: Chopra achieved a personal best and national record with a throw of 89.30 meters at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Finland, finishing second.
Stockholm Diamond League: He improved his national record with a throw of 89.94 meters, earning second place.
World Championships: In July 2022, Chopra secured a silver medal at the Oregon World Championships with a throw of 88.13 meters, marking India's second-ever medal at the event.
Lausanne Diamond League: On August 26, 2022, Chopra won gold with a throw of 89.09 meters and qualified for the Zürich Final.
Zürich Final: On September 8, 2022, Chopra won the Diamond League Final with a throw of 88.44 meters, making him the first Indian to achieve this.
May 2023: Chopra topped the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 88.67 meters and became the leading javelin thrower globally.
August 2023: He won gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships with a throw of 88.17 meters.
October 2023: Chopra also won gold at the Asian Games with a throw of 88.88 meters, his best of the season.
Paris Olympics Performance: Chopra claimed a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a season-best throw of 89.45 meters, reaffirming his position as a top javelin thrower.
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | World U18 Championships | Donetsk, Ukraine | 19th (q) | Javelin throw (700 g) | 66.75 m |
| 2015 | Asian Championships | Wuhan, China | 9th | Javelin throw | 70.50 m |
| 2016 | South Asian Games | Guwahati, India | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 82.23 m |
| 2016 | Asian U20 Championships | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | 2nd place, silver medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 77.60 m |
| 2016 | World U20 Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 86.48 m (WU20R) |
| 2017 | Asian Championships | Bhubaneswar, India | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 85.23 m |
| 2017 | World Championships | London, United Kingdom | 15th (q) | Javelin throw | 82.26 m |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 86.47 m |
| 2018 | Asian Games | Jakarta, Indonesia | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 88.06 m (NR) |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Tokyo, Japan | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 87.58 m |
| 2022 | World Championships | Eugene, OR, United States | 2nd place, silver medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 88.13 m |
| 2023 | World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 88.17 m |
| 2023 | Asian Games | Hangzhou, China | 1st place, gold medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 88.88 m |
| 2024 | Olympic Games | Paris, France | 2nd place, silver medalist(s) | Javelin throw | 89.45 m |
| Year | Date | Performance | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 26 July | 69.66 metres | Patiala, India |
| 2014 | 17 August | 70.19 metres | |
| 2015 | 31 December | 81.04 metres | |
| 2016 | 23 July | 86.48 metres WJR WU20R | Bydgoszcz, Poland |
| 2017 | 2 June | 85.63 metres | Patiala, India |
| 2018 | 27 August | 88.06 metres | Jakarta, Indonesia |
| 2020 | 28 January | 87.86 metres | South Africa |
| 2021 | 5 March | 88.07 metres | Patiala, India |
| 2022 | 30 June | 89.94 metres | Stockholm, Sweden |
| 2023 | 4 October | 88.88 metres | Hangzhou, China |
| 2024 | 8 August | 89.45 metres | Paris, France |
Net Worth (2024): Neeraj Chopra's estimated net worth is $4.5 million.
Monthly Earnings: Chopra earns over Rs 30 lakh per month.
Annual Income: His annual income exceeds Rs 4 crore.
Sources of Income: His earnings are primarily derived from match fees and brand endorsements.
Arjuna Award (2018): Recognized for his outstanding achievement in sports.
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) (2020): Awarded for distinguished service in the armed forces.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021): India's highest sporting honor.
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) (2022): Awarded for exceptional service in the armed forces.
Padma Shri (2022): Fourth highest civilian honor in India.
The Times of India Sportsperson of the Year (2021): Recognized for his exceptional performance in sports.
Neeraj Chopra Stadium: Renamed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in honor of Chopra on 27 August 2021.
Switzerland Tourism Friendship Ambassador: Appointed as an ambassador by Switzerland Tourism.