In the world of sports, there are stories that go beyond just games and records. Neeraj Chopra’s life is one such tale that captures the essence of determination and the pursuit of greatness. Neeraj Chopra, known as “India’s Golden Boy” after winning the historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, accomplished the feat in the men’s javelin final in Budapest, Hungary, taking first place with a remarkable 88.17-meter throw, which he accomplished on his second attempt.
This article explores the incredible journey of Neeraj Chopra, a young athlete who has risen from humble beginnings to become a source of inspiration for many.
Neeraj Chopra in Asian Games 2023
Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal in the Javelin Throw event at the Asian Games 2023. He achieved a best throw of 88.88 meters. While his final attempt resulted in a no-throw, as of now, he holds the top position on the podium. Neeraj Chopra, globally recognized as the premier javelin thrower, clinched the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, on October 4, marking yet another historic milestone. This victory further solidifies Neeraj Chopra’s illustrious career, having previously claimed titles at the Commonwealth and Asian Championships in 2018.
Achievements of Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra, India’s eminent javelin thrower, attained a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in 2023, hosted in Budapest, Hungary. On August 27th, he accomplished this remarkable feat with an impressive throw covering a distance of 88.17 meters.
During the competition, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem secured the silver medal with a notable throw of 87.82 meters, marking his best performance of the season. Croatia’s Jakub Vadlejch, ranked as the world’s number one javelin thrower, clinched the bronze medal with a throw spanning 86.67 meters.
Neeraj Chopra in Diamond League 2023
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra showcased his javelin throwing prowess at the Diamond League finals held in Eugene, Oregon, USA. In this competitive event, Neeraj secured the second position with an impressive throw covering a distance of 83.80 meters. The first-place title in the Diamond League finals was clinched by Jakub Vadlejch, who achieved a best throw of 84.24 meters.
It’s noteworthy that Neeraj Chopra had previously earned a second-place finish at the same venue during the World Championships last year. The Diamond League competition presented some challenges due to weather conditions, with temperatures at 25 degrees Celsius and humidity at 45 percent. None of the competitors managed to surpass the 85-meter mark.
During the competition, Neeraj Chopra encountered certain difficulties. He had two foul attempts, which meant those throws were not counted, and his best throw of the day measured 83.80 meters. His series of throws included fouls, 83.80m, 81.37m, fouls, 80.74m, and 80.90m.
List of Neeraj Chopra Medals in International Competitions
Here is a list of all medals won by Neeraj Chopra at international events.
| Year | Event | Medal/Position | Length of Throw (in meters) |
| 2013 | World U18 Championships | 19th (q) | 66.75 m |
| 2015 | Asian Championships | 9th | 70.50 m |
| 2016 | South Asian Games | Gold | 82.23 m |
| 2016 | Asian U20 Championships | Silver | 77.60 m |
| 2016 | World U20 Championships | Gold | 86.48 m (WU20R) |
| 2017 | Asian Championships | Gold | 85.23 m |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold | 86.47 m |
| 2018 | Asian Games | Gold | 88.06 m (NR) |
| 2021 | Olympic Games | Gold | 87.58 m |
| 2022 | Diamond League | Gold | 88.44 m |
| 2022 | World Championships | Silver | 88.13 m |
| 2023 | World Championships | Gold | 88.17 m |
| 2023 | Diamond League Finals | Silver | 83.80 m |
| 2023 | Asian Games 2023 | Gold | 88.88 m |
Neeraj Chopra best Throws
Having achieved nearly every accolade in Javelin throw, Neeraj now sets his sights on breaking the 90-metre barrier. He came remarkably close to this milestone during the Stockholm Diamond League, with a throw measuring 89.94 metres.
| Neeraj Chopra best throws so far | |||
| Rank | Throw | Competition | Date |
| 1 | 89.94m | Stockholm Diamond League 2022 | 30-Jun-22 |
| 2 | 89.30m | Paavo Nurmi Games (Turku, Finland) | 14-Jun-22 |
| 3 | 89.08m | Lausanne Diamond League 2022 | 26-Aug-22 |
| 4 | 88.77m | World Athletics Championships 2023 (Budapest) – Q | 25-Aug-23 |
| 5 | 88.67m | Doha Diamond League 2023 (Qatar) | 5-May-23 |
| 6 | 88.44m | Zurich Diamond League Final 2022 | 8-Sep-22 |
| 7 | 88.39m | World Athletics Championships 2022 (Oregon) – Q | 21-Jul-22 |
| 8 | 88.17m | World Athletics Championships 2023 (Budapest) – F | 27-Aug-23 |
| 9 | 88.13m | World Athletics Championships 2022 (Oregon) – F | 23-Jul-22 |
| 10 | 88.07m | Indian Grand Prix 3 (Patiala, India) | 5-Mar-21 |
| 11 | 88.06m | Asian Games 2018 (Jakarta, Indonesia) | 27-Aug-18 |
| 12 | 88.00m | Zurich Diamond League Final 2022 | 8-Sep-22 |
| 13 | 87.86m | ACNW League Meeting 1 (Potchefstroom, South Africa) | 28-Jan-20 |
| 14 | 87.80m | Federation Cup (Patiala, India) | 17-Mar-21 |
| 15 | 87.73m | World Athletics Championships 2023 (Budapest) – F | 27-Aug-23 |
| 16 | 87.66m | Lausanne Diamond League 2023 (Switzerland) | 30-Jun-23 |
| 17 | 87.58m | Tokyo 2020 Olympics Finals (Japan) | 7-Aug-21 |
| 18 | 87.46m | Stockholm Diamond League 2022 | 30-Jun-22 |
| 19 | 87.43m | Doha Diamond League (Qatar) | 4-May-18 |
| 20 | 87.03m | Tokyo 2020 Olympics Finals (Japan) | 7-Aug-21 |
| 21 | 87.00m | Zurich Diamond League Final 2022 | 8-Sep-22 |
| 22 | 86.92m | Paavo Nurmi Games (Turku, Finland) | 14-Jun-22 |
| 23 | 86.84m | Stockholm Diamond League 2022 | 30-Jun-22 |
| 24 | 86.79m | Kuortane Games 2021 (Finland) | 26-Jun-21 |
| 25 | 86.69m | Kuortane Games 2022 (Finland) | 18-Jun-22 |
| 26 | 86.67m | Stockholm Diamond League 2022 | 30-Jun-22 |
| 27 | 86.65m | Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualifying (Japan) | 4-Aug-21 |
| 28 | 86.52m | Doha Diamond League 2023 (Qatar) | 5-May-23 |
| 29 | 86.48m | World U20 Championships 2016 (Bydgoszcz, Poland) | 23-Jul-16 |
| 30 | 86.47m | Commonwealth Games 2018 (Gold Coast, Australia) | 14-Apr-18 |
Neeraj Chopra Biography
Neeraj Chopra, an Indian javelin thrower, etched his name in history by clinching the gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with an astounding throw of 87.58 meters. This victory not only made him the first Indian track and field athlete to secure an Olympic gold but also marked a significant milestone in Indian sports.
Neeraj Chopra’s Age and Early Life
Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, India, Neeraj Chopra hailed from a farming family and was the eldest among 17 siblings in a joint family setup. Battling weight issues in his early years, Neeraj’s father enrolled him in a local gym to shed excess weight due to teasing from peers.
Neeraj’s tryst with athletics started when he caught the eye of javelin thrower Jaiveer Singh with an initial throw of 40 meters at a nearby sports center. This marked the beginning of his journey in javelin throwing, with training under coach Naseem Ahmad at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula. At just 15, he clinched his first national title with a record throw of 68.40 meters at the 2012 junior nationals in Lucknow.
Neeraj Chopra Winning Journey
His early international success included a silver medal at the Youth Olympics Qualification in Bangkok in 2014. Neeraj’s trajectory continued upward, culminating in a national record throw of 84.23 meters at the 2016 South Asian Games, where he secured a gold medal. A pinnacle in his career came in July 2016, setting a world junior record and winning gold at the IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Neeraj Chopra’s excellence extended to the Asian Athletics Championships in 2017, clinching gold with a throw of 85.23 meters. In 2018, he secured a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games with an impressive throw of 86.47 meters. The crowning achievement occurred at the 2018 Asian Games, where he became the first Indian javelin thrower to clinch gold, achieving a remarkable throw of 88.06 meters, surpassing his own national record.
Despite facing an elbow injury that necessitated surgery in 2019, Neeraj Chopra exhibited unwavering determination. He underwent rehabilitation and received specialized training, including guidance from biomechanics expert Klaus Bartonietz in South Africa.
In January 2020, he secured qualification for the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 87.86 meters in the ACNW League Meeting in Potchefstroom. In March 2021, he furthered his national record with an 88.07m throw, claiming gold at his initial international competition of the season in Lisbon, Portugal.
On August 4, 2021, representing India at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Neeraj Chopra marked his spot in the men’s javelin throw final with a throw of 86.65 meters. Then, on August 7, 2021, he scripted history with a phenomenal 87.58m throw, clinching the gold medal. This victory not only elevated him to a sporting legend but also ignited the aspirations of countless budding athletes in India.
In addition to his athletic prowess, Neeraj Chopra joined the Indian Army in 2016, attaining the rank of Naib Subedar as a Junior Commissioned Officer. He received numerous accolades for his contributions to sports, including the Arjuna Award and the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), an honor bestowed by the Indian armed forces.
Learning From Neeraj Chopra’s Journey
Neeraj Chopra’s odyssey from a young boy grappling with weight issues to an Olympic gold medalist stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication, relentless effort, and profound love for athletics. His extraordinary achievements have left an indelible imprint on the annals of Indian sports, kindling hope and inspiration in athletes throughout the nation.
