Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, 23, created history by wining Gold in men’s javelin throw at 2021 Tokyo Olympics. (PIB)

The 23-year-old Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra created history by wining Gold medal in men’s javelin throw at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Chopra gave his best throw of 87.58 to bag the gold medal. With this, he has become the first Indian athlete to win gold ever and India’s second ever individual Olympic gold medalist after shooter Abhinav Bindra, who bagged gold in Beijing 2008.

With this outstanding performance, Neeraj also took India’s medal haul to seven in the Tokyo Olympics – the country’s highest ever, beating the tally of six medals won at the London Games in 2012.

Neeraj Chopra is also a Naib Subedar with 4 Rajputana Rifles in the Indian Army. Neeraj was selected in the Indian Army as a junior commissioned officer (JCO) in 2017.

An overweight 12-year-old boy from Haryana’s Khandra village, who was persistently persuaded by his family members to take up sports. He ultimately gave in to all the badgering and began training at the Shivaji Stadium in Panipat. That was until he saw a few seniors throwing javelins at the stadium and decided to try his luck at javelin throw. Fortunately for him, that sport truly captured his fancy as he began training rigorously to get into better shape. He grew up to become India’s first ever javelin thrower to win a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 Asian Games.

Past Achievements:

  • Gold Medal, Asian Games 2018
  • Gold Medal, Commonwealth Games 2018
  • Gold Medal, Asian Athletics Championships 2017
  • Gold Medal, World U-20 Athletics Championships 2016
  • Gold Medal, South Asian Games 2016
  • Silver Medal, Asian Junior Championships 2016
  • Current National Record Holder (88.07m – 2021)
  • Current World Junior Record Holder (86.48m – 2016)