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Neeraj Chopra was born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, India. He is the eldest of three children in a family involved in agriculture. His father, Satish Kumar, is a farmer, and his mother, Saroj Devi, is a house-wife. Neeraj’s early life was marked by childhood obesity, which led his father to enroll him in a gymnasium. This initial step into physical fitness eventually introduced him to the world of sports.
Neeraj Chopra attended BVN Public School for his early education and later graduated from Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College in Chandigarh. As of 2021, he was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, Punjab.
Neeraj Chopra Biography Overview
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Neeraj Chopra |
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Khandra, Panipat, Haryana, India |
| Height | 178 cm (6 ft) |
| Weight | 86 kg |
| Education | DAV College, Chandigarh; Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar |
| Occupation | Junior Commissioned Officer, Indian Army |
| Sport | Javelin Throw |
| Personal Best | 88.1 meters |
| Olympic Medals | 1 Gold (Tokyo 2020) |
| World Championship Medals | 1 Gold (Budapest 2023), 1 Silver (Oregon 2022) |
| Asian Games Medals | 2 Gold (2018, 2023) |
| Commonwealth Games Medals | 1 Gold (2018) |
| Coaches | Uwe Hohn (Personal), Naseem Ahmad (Former) |
Neeraj Chopra Sports Javelin Throw
Neeraj Chopra’s journey in javelin throw began at the age of 13 when he joined a local sports group to stay active. He quickly showed a natural talent for the sport, achieving throws of 40-45 meters within a few days. His talent was recognized by Jaiveer Choudhary, a javelin thrower who became his first coach. Neeraj’s early training took place at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula, Haryana, where he improved his technique and performance.
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Neeraj Chopra Athletic Career
Neeraj Chopra’s career took off when he won his first gold medal at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with a record-breaking throw of 86.48 meters. This throw remains the world junior record. He continued to achieve significant milestones, including gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Asian Games.
His most notable achievement came at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic), where he won the gold medal in men’s javelin throw with a throw of 87.58 meters. This victory made him the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics and the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal after Abhinav Bindra.
In 2022, Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and followed it up with a historic gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. He also secured another gold medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
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Neeraj Chopra Records and Achievements
Neeraj Chopra is a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army. His dedication and achievements in sports have earned him numerous accolades, including the Arjuna Award for Athletics.
| Year | Event | Location | Achievement | Record/Distance |
| 2016 | IAAF World U20 Championships | Bydgoszcz, Poland | Gold Medal | 86.48 meters (Junior World Record) |
| 2017 | Asian Championships | Bhubaneswar, India | Gold Medal | 85.23 meters |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Gold Coast, Australia | Gold Medal | 86.47 meters |
| 2018 | Asian Games | Jakarta, Indonesia | Gold Medal | 88.06 meters |
| 2021 | Tokyo Olympics | Tokyo, Japan | Gold Medal | 87.58 meters |
| 2022 | World Athletics Championships | Eugene, Oregon, USA | Silver Medal | 88.13 meters |
| 2023 | World Athletics Championships | Budapest, Hungary | Gold Medal | 88.17 meters |
| 2023 | Asian Games | Hangzhou, China | Gold Medal | 88.06 meters |
| 2023 | Diamond League Final | Zurich, Switzerland | Gold Medal | 88.44 meters |
- Coaches: Uwe Hohn (Personal), Naseem Ahmad (Former)
- Olympic Record: Neeraj became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
- Notable Titles: First Indian to win a gold medal in World Athletics Championships and the first Asian to do so in men’s javelin throw.
- Recognition: Awarded the Arjuna Award for his contributions to Indian sports.
Neeraj Chopra’s Influence and Recognition
Neeraj Chopra’s success has made him a national hero and an inspiration to aspiring athletes across India. His journey from a small village in Haryana to becoming a global sports icon showcases his determination, hard work, and dedication to the sport.
His achievements have not only brought glory to India but also raised the profile of javelin throw in the country. Neeraj Chopra continues to strive for excellence, with his eyes set on future competitions, including the on-going Paris 2024 Olympics.
Neeraj Chopra Biography FAQs
What is the achievement of Neeraj Chopra?
Neeraj Chopra's most notable achievement is winning the gold medal in the javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making him the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold in athletics.
What is the best career achievement of Neeraj Chopra?
Neeraj Chopra's best career achievement is his gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he recorded a throw of 87.58 meters.
What is the performance of Neeraj Chopra?
Neeraj Chopra has consistently performed at a high level in international competitions, including winning gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the 2022 World Championships in Athletics.
How many gold medals has Neeraj Chopra won?
Neeraj Chopra has won a total of five gold medals in major international competitions, including: 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2018 Asian Games, 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2022 World Championships in Athletics, 2022 Diamond League Final.
What is the success story of Neeraj Chopra?
Neeraj Chopra's success story is one of determination and perseverance. Born in a farming family in Haryana, he took up javelin throw at a young age and quickly excelled in the sport. Despite facing challenges, including a significant elbow injury in 2019, he remained focused on his goal of winning an Olympic gold. His historic victory at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 made him a national hero and inspired many aspiring athletes in India.
