Neeraj Chopra
About
Neeraj Chopra created history in 2021 by becoming the first track and field athlete to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics in the men’s javelin throw. Neeraj Chopra's performance at the Paris Olympics 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable either. The defending Olympic champion has been in top form, delivering his season-best throw of 89.34m during the qualification round, and 89.94m during the final round which earned him a silver medal. Known for his ability to perform under pressure, Neeraj is focused on defending his title and is saving his best for the final. This event could potentially cement his place in history, as he aims to join the ranks of the few athletes who have successfully defended their Olympic title in javelin.
A farmer’s son from Haryana’s Khandra village, Chopra weighed 90 kg when he was 12 and his peers made fun of him. While his parents were hurt because of the body shaming, he began working out at a gym 6 km away from home.
Being the youngest at the gym, he had a tough time and was often bullied. To escape the same, his parents sent him to Panipat, and that’s how his journey as an athlete began.
He may have broken India’s 100-year wait for a Gold medal in athletics, which he is proud of, but what gives him immense joy is that he never gave up even when he didn’t have the strength to fight his circumstances.
Awards and Accomplishments
Awards and Accomplishments
In the 2024, Paris Olympics, Neeraj the defending champion, earned a silver medal delivering his second-best throw of the season at 89.94m
In 2016, he made history when he became the first athlete to win gold at the U-20 World Championships in Poland.
Neeraj won another gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and was conferred the Arjuna Award the same year.
Neeraj Chopra received the Padma Shri in 2022, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for Athletics in 2021.
Why Neeraj Chopra?
From being body-shamed during his teens to winning India’s 1st Olympic gold in athletics, Neeraj’s journey saw him win personal battles and background constraints to reach the pinnacle of success.
A fine example of determination, dreaming big and winning against all odds, Neeraj enthralls his audience with inspiring stories from his career and life.
