New Delhi: India’s Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has been bestowed with a major honour — he has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. The javelin throw superstar, who captured the nation’s imagination with his historic win at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, continues to make the country proud, this time with his new role in the Indian armed forces.
Chopra, who is already considered one of the world’s finest javelin throwers, had previously held the rank of Subedar in the Indian Army. His promotion to Lieutenant Colonel is both a recognition of his sporting excellence and a testament to his service to the nation beyond athletics.
A Historic Journey
Neeraj Chopra made history at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming India’s first track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. He clinched the top spot with an outstanding throw of 87.58 meters on his second attempt, marking a monumental moment in Indian sporting history. More recently, Chopra added a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, reinforcing his stature as a global athletics icon.
A Role Model and Trailblazer
Chopra’s success has not only brought glory to India but has also inspired a generation to take an interest in javelin throw and athletics. His rise from a modest background to Olympic stardom has made him a national icon. With his elevation in the army ranks, Chopra now shoulders a dual responsibility — to continue excelling on the global sports stage and to inspire as a leader in uniform.
Upcoming Competitions
After the postponement of the NC Classic in Bengaluru due to recent military tensions between India and Pakistan, Neeraj Chopra is set to return to action on May 23 in the 71st Orlen Janusz Kusociński Memorial Meet in Chorzów, Poland. The prestigious meet will feature top-tier competitors including two-time world champion and Paris 2024 bronze medallist Anderson Peters (Grenada), Julian Weber (Germany), and Polish national record holder Marcin Krukowski.
Chopra will face tough competition not only from these international stars but also from local talents like Cyprian Mrzygłód and Dawid Wegner. The Polish meet will mark Chopra’s third international outing of the 2025 season.
Before heading to Poland, he is scheduled to compete at the Doha Diamond League on May 16, where he previously won in 2023 with a throw of 88.67m and finished second in 2024 with 88.36m. He will again face Anderson Peters in Doha. Interestingly, Peters was also expected to compete in the NC Classic alongside 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Röhler (Germany) and 2015 World Champion Julius Yego (Kenya) before its postponement.
Serving in Spirit and Sport
Neeraj Chopra’s promotion as Lieutenant Colonel is not just a ceremonial upgrade — it underscores the close ties between Indian sport and national pride. As he continues his quest for sporting excellence, Chopra now also serves as a symbol of discipline, dedication, and patriotism in the Indian Army ranks. His journey from Olympic podiums to the military’s leadership is yet another chapter in his extraordinary life story.
