From modest beginnings, Neeraj Chopra has risen to become one of India's most respected athletes. His interest for the sport was sparked by an accidental brush with a javelin soaring into the skies when he was an overweight boy in Panipat. Neeraj's journey has been nothing short of remarkable since then. Neeraj Chopra is now a proud member of the top javelin throwing community, having won every major championship in the sport. His array of international awards is proof of his unmatched talent and commitment that has made Neeraj Chopra the greatest Olympic Gold medalist in India. Notably, he has established himself as a dominant force in the field by winning gold medals at both the Olympics and world championships.

Neeraj Chopra: The Greatest Olympic Gold Medalist in India

Neeraj’s rise to fame is an inspiration to aspiring players across India and beyond. Her success story exemplifies the power of perseverance and confidence in overcoming obstacles. From humble beginnings to achieving greatness on the world stage, Neeraj Chopra’s journey is a remarkable tale of triumph against all odds. As he continues to etch his name in sports history, Neeraj remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come. With each push, he not only moves the machine forward, but shoulders the dreams and aspirations of the nation. Neeraj Chopra’s legacy as one of India’s greatest sportsmen is indelibly etched, with chapters of triumph and perseverance that will inspire generations to come.

A historic day for Indian athletics occurred on August 7, 2021, when Neeraj Chopra etched his name in the record books as an Olympic champion. He cemented his legacy as the first Indian track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal with a thunderous throw of 87.58 meters in the Tokyo final. Neeraj's second throw, in the face of fierce competition, lifted him to the top spot and won him praise from all throughout the world.

Neeraj's accomplishment brings him into the exclusive club of Indian athletes who have achieved success in the Olympics. He continues the legacy of Abhinav Bindra, who became the first Indian to win an individual gold medal in the Olympics since 1980. Neeraj's remarkable accomplishment was made possible by Bindra's historic win in the men's 10m air rifle shooting event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, which encouraged a new generation of Indian athletes to aim high and pursue greatness.

While talking about the other records, Neeraj Chopra hit the bulls-eye having won the gold medal with a brilliant throw measured at 88.17m in the 2023 World Athletics Championships held at Budapest, Hungary. This massive achievement came after he won the silver medal at the World Championships 2022 and he once again won the gold in his second throw just like the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. It was at this moment when Neeraj etched his name in the history becoming the first Indian athlete to win the gold medal at the World Championships. 

Incidentally, at the Asian Games, Neeraj Chopra has twice won the gold medal in his athletic career so far. He started off an amazing note during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta having touched the 88.06 mark in his third throw to bring home the gold medal. He then went on to defend his title during the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 with an exceptional throw of 88.88m to win another gold medal. In the 2018 Commonwealth Games at the Gold Coast, Australia, he once again achieved glory having launched the javelin at a distance of 86.47m. However, he failed to defend his title during the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham because of an injury. 

The Haryana-born gold medalist also made the nation proud at the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships contested in Bhubaneswar, standing tall at the podium. He won another gold medal at the South Asian Games 2016 played in Guwahati. The 2024 summer Olympics is the biggest tournament scheduled later this year. 

Ahead of the 2024 Olympics, Interestingly, Neeraj Chopra first came into the limelight with an excellent performance in the IAAF World U20 Athletics Championships 2016. He came up with an astonishing throw of 86.48 in the final to set up a new U20 World record in his name. At just 18 years of age, he became India's first track and field athlete to achieve this world record. Chopra is also the first Indian athlete to mark a successful triumph at the Diamond League 2023 final in Zurich with a phenomenal javelin throw of 88.44m. 

Neeraj Chopra Medals Tally