The golden boy of India, Neeraj Chopra’s inspirational journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming an Olympic champion is nothing short of extraordinary. Today, let’s celebrate the javelin champ whose story teaches us many a life lesson. From struggles to stardom, let’s unravel the journey of Neeraj’s Chopra.
| Nickname | Sarpanch, Golden Boy |
| Birth date | 24 December 1997 |
| Birthplace | Khandra, Haryana, India |
| Education | DAV College, Chandigarh |
| Years Active | 2010–present |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 86 kg |
| Military Career | |
| – Allegiance | India |
| – Service/Branch | Indian Army |
| – Years of Service | 2016–present |
| – Rank | Subedar Major |
| – Service Number | JC-471869A |
| – Unit | 4 Rajputana Rifles |
| Awards | Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Padma Shri, Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Coach | Jan Železný (Czech Republic) |
| Achievements and Titles | |
| – Olympic Finals | Gold (2020), Silver (2024) |
| – World Finals | Gold (2023), Silver (2022) |
| – Regional Finals | Gold (2016, 2017, 2018, 2022) |
| – Commonwealth Finals | Gold (2018) |
| Highest World Ranking | 1 (11 May 2023) |
| Personal Best | 89.94 m NR (2022), 86.48 m WJR (2016) |
Related The Legacy Of Abhinav Bhindra: India’s First Olympic Gold Medalist
Early Struggles: Challenges and Obstacles Faced
Neeraj Chopra hails from Khandra village in Haryana, one of the northern states of India. He grew up in a humble family of farmers. He forayed into sports to lose weight and not for any ambition.
As a kid, he was overweight and was often teased by others. The family encouraged him to take up physical activity and sports. This led him to the local sports ground where he found out about javelin throw for the first time.
Neeraj Chopra’s potential didn’t go unnoticed. However, the lack of proper training facilities and equipment in his village was a challenge. Despite these constraints, he was determined to train hard fueled by a desire to excel.
The turning point of his career came when he was spotted by coach Naseem Ahmad at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. The coach helped hone his skills and prepared him for the highest level.
In years, he was competing in international events. He could not keep up with competition for many years in his early career. He faced repeated losses and injuries.
Related From Zero to Hero: How These Athletes Turned Failure Into Fame
Turning Point: Key Moments That Shaped His Career
In 2019, Neeraj Chopra faced a career-threatening injury that kept him out of action for an entire season. He underwent surgery on his right elbow and was sidelined for almost a year. He was now staring at defeat. This was one of the darkest phases of Neeraj’s career.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Neeraj started working on rebuilding his strength from scratch. During the recovery, he traveled to South Africa and trained with renowned biomechanics expert Klaus Bartoneitz. The rigorous therapy and focused training gave him a long of strength to return stronger than ever.
The results followed in the years to follow. The setback of 2019 injury was the key moment that shaped Neeraj’s career.
Related Why 99% of Athletes Quit… But the 1% Succeed
Achievements: What Neeraj Chopra Has Accomplished
In 2021, Neeraj Chopra brought laurels to India, winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The first Indian track and field athlete to secure an Olympic gold! It was the coronation of the ‘golden boy of India.’ Check more athlete stories.
Here’s Neeraj Chopra’s list of achievements:
- Gold Medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020: Neeraj Chopra scripted history by winning gold in men’s javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
- Silver Medal at Paris Olympics 2024: In 2024, Neeraj proved that he is there to rule the hearts of Indian sports fans. He bagged a silver medal with a remarkable throw, to become the first Indian athlete to win both gold and silver in the Olympics.
- Gold Medal at World Athletics Championships 2023: A gold medal win at the World Athletics Championships 2023 was another feather in the cap for Neeraj. The glory earned him status as a global icon.
- Gold Medal at Asian Games 2018 and 2023: Neeraj Chopra has been the best javelin thrower in Asia for a long time now. He clinched gold at the 2018 and 2023 editions of Asian Games.
- Diamond League Champion in 2022: Chopra secured the Diamond League trophy in 2022 to reaffirm his position among elite javelin throwers.
- Gold at Commonwealth Games 2018: Neeraj Chopra achieved glory at Commonwealth Games 2018 and announced himself on the world stage.
- Lausanne Diamond League 2024: Neeraj finished second at the Lausanne Diamond League 2024 edition, to close another year with consistent performances and wins.
Neeraj Chopra’s medal record
| Event | 1st (Gold) | 2nd (Silver) | 3rd (Bronze) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 1 | 1 | – |
| World Championships | 1 | 1 | – |
| Diamond League | 1 | 2 | – |
| Commonwealth Games | 1 | – | – |
| Asian Games | 2 | – | – |
| Asian Championships | 1 | – | – |
| South Asian Games | 1 | – | – |
| Paavo Nurmi Games | 1 | 1 | – |
| World U20 Championships | 1 | – | – |
| Asian U20 Championships | – | 1 | – |
| Total | 10 | 6 | 0 |
Related Top 10 Indian Athletes to Watch Out For in 2025
Conclusion: Lessons from Neeraj Chopra’s Journey for Other Athletes
Neeraj Chopra’s feats in recent years have made him a global sports icon who is looked up for his unmatched determination and work ethic. Here are some of the key takeaways for everyone from the journey of Neeraj Chopra.
- Resilience: No matter how big the setbacks, it is all a part of the journey. In 2019, Chopra had to face the darkest times but chose to fight back and overcome it.
- Consistent Hard Work: Success is a by-product of hard work. The achievements and laurels we see today are the result of years of perseverance.
- Seek the Right Guidance: With the right mentorship and guidance, you can overcome any challenges and hurdles. Training under expert coaches like Naseem Ahmad and Klaus Bartoneitz helped Neeraj Chopra stay focused on his goals.
- Stay Humble: Humility is what makes Neeraj Chopra such an admirable figure in Indian sports. Chopra remains grounded even after achieving everything that is there to achieve and global fame.
Neeraj Chopra’s life and sports journey is a tale of a true champion. More than achievements, accomplishments, medals, and trophies, it is the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines him. Take a bow, champ! Hope you continue to bring laurels to the country and keep inspiring us.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Share this content: