Tokyo Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra celebrating India's track and field dominance
At the 23rd Commonwealth Games 2026 (Glasgow CWG 2026) in Glasgow, Scotland, India's star athlete and Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra secured the Silver Medal in the Men's Javelin Throw final. Amid cold weather and high wind conditions, Neeraj hurled a best throw of 85.83 meters on his second attempt.
In the same event, India's promising throwing sensation Yashveer Singh won the Bronze Medal, securing a Double Medal feat for India. Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage clinched Gold with a massive 89.75m throw, while Pakistan's Olympic Champion Arshad Nadeem exited in the initial phase.
Glasgow 2026: Yashveer Singh celebrating his Bronze Medal victory in Men's Javelin Throw for India
Neeraj Chopra: At a Glance (Quick Fact Sheet)
Neeraj Chopra Profile & Major Details
Parameter
Details
Full Name
Neeraj Chopra
DOB & Hometown
24 December 1997, Khandra Village, Panipat, Haryana
Military Rank
Honorary Lieutenant Colonel (TA) / Ex-Subedar Major
Neeraj Chopra's Major Career Milestones & Historic Javelin Records
Tokyo 2020: Neeraj Chopra celebrating India's 1st ever Olympic Track & Field Gold medal
1. 1st Indian Track & Field Athlete to Win Olympic Gold (Tokyo 2020 - 87.58m 🥇)
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gold: Neeraj Chopra won Gold at Tokyo 2020 with a 87.58m throw, becoming the 1st Indian track & field athlete to win an Olympic medal. This ended India's long heartbreak after Milkha Singh (Rome 1960) and PT Usha (Los Angeles 1984) missed out closely. It was India's 2nd individual Olympic gold after Abhinav Bindra (2008).
2. 2nd Consecutive Olympic Medal at Paris 2024 (Silver Medal - 89.45m 🥈)
Paris 2024 Silver: Neeraj bagged Silver at Paris 2024 with a 89.45m throw, becoming the 1st athlete from independent India to win back-to-back Olympic track & field medals.
3. 1st Indian World Athletics Champion (Budapest 2023 Gold & Oregon 2022 Silver)
Oregon 2022 Silver (88.13m): Won Silver at Oregon 2022, ending India's 19-year medal drought at World Championships since Anju Bobby George's Bronze in Paris 2003.
Budapest 2023 World Champion (88.17m 🥇): Clinched Gold at Budapest 2023 with 88.17m, becoming India's first ever World Athletics Champion.
Inspiring Journey: From 13-Year-Old Child to Subedar Major & Padma Shri Awardee
World Champion Neeraj Chopra holding the Indian tri-color on the global athletics stage
Beginning at Age 13: Born on 24 December 1997 in Khandra village of Panipat, Haryana, Neeraj was an overweight 13-year-old child. Encouraged by his family to lose weight and gain confidence, he visited Shivaji Stadium, where watching throwers sparked his lifelong passion for Javelin.
Appointment in Indian Army: Following his historic 2016 U20 World Championship victory, the Indian Army appointed Neeraj directly as Naib Subedar in the Rajputana Rifles. He was later promoted to Subedar Major and conferred with Honorary Lt. Colonel rank in 2025.
National Honours & Civilian Awards: Government of India conferred the following top honours upon Neeraj Chopra:
Arjuna Award: Conferred in 2018 for sports excellence.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: India's highest sports honour in 2021.
Padma Shri: India's 4th highest civilian honour in 2022.
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM): Conferred by Indian Army in 2022.
Defence Ministry Confers Neeraj Chopra with 'Honorary Lt. Colonel' Rank in Territorial Army
Neeraj Chopra: Honorary Lieutenant Colonel (Effective 16 April 2025)
Notification & Effective Date: On 13 May 2025, the Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence issued an official notification announcing that Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra has been conferred with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army (TA), effective retrospectively from 16 April 2025.
Purpose of Honour: This prestigious military rank recognizes Neeraj's extraordinary achievements in athletics and inspiring youth towards national service. He previously served as Subedar Major in the Rajputana Rifles regiment of the Indian Army.
What is an Honorary Rank? (MPPSC Special Exam Context)
Legal Provision: Granted under Section 31 of Territorial Army Regulations, 1948 with the approval of the President of India.
Eligibility: Awarded to distinguished citizens and sports icons who enhance national prestige.
: Conferred individuals can wear official military uniform and attend ceremonial events, parades, and defense functions.
Neeraj Chopra Major Competition Performance Table
Neeraj Chopra Career Records & Medals Table
Event
Edition
Distance
Result
Commonwealth Games
Glasgow 2026
85.83 m
Silver Medal
Doha Diamond League
Doha 2025
90.23 m
National Record
CWG 2026 India's Gold Champions & Interlinked Profiles
Explore detailed biography profiles of India's CWG 2026 Medal champions across different sports:
Precision and Power: Indian National Record holder Neeraj Chopra in throwing motion
4. Doha Diamond League 2025: Historic 90.23m Indian National Record
Breaching 90m Barrier (90.23m): On May 16, 2025, at the Doha Diamond League 2025, Neeraj breached the mythical 90-meter barrier for the first time, throwing 90.23m to set a new Indian National Record.
5. U20 World Record Holder & 1st Indian Diamond League Champion
U20 World Record (86.48m): Set the U20 World Record at Bydgoszcz 2016 with a 86.48m throw, breaking Latvia's Zigismunds Sirmais' record.
Diamond League Trophy (Zurich 2022 - 88.44m): Became the 1st Indian to win the Diamond League Trophy at Zurich 2022 Final.
Asian Games Double Gold: Won Gold at Jakarta 2018 (88.06m - 1st Asian Games Gold since Gurtej Singh's 1982 Bronze) and defended his title at Hangzhou 2023 (88.88m) alongside compatriot Kishore Jena (Silver 87.54m).
Rights & Role
Territorial Army: India's 'Second Line of Defense'
Definition & Role: Known as India's Second Line of Defense, TA assists the Regular Army during natural disasters, internal security, and war emergencies.
Establishment: Created on 18 August 1948 and inaugurated on 9 October 1949 by C. Rajagopalachari.
Territorial Army Day: Celebrated every year on 9 October.
Icons in Uniform: Prominent Indian personalities holding honorary officer ranks in the Territorial Army
Prominent Personalities & Honorary Ranks in Territorial Army (Table)
Prominent Indian Personalities Holding Officer Ranks in Territorial Army
Personality Name
Domain
Military Rank
Unit / Battalion
Neeraj Chopra
Athletics (Javelin Throw)
Honorary Lt. Colonel
Territorial Army (from 16 April 2025)
MS Dhoni
Cricket (Ex-Indian Captain)
Lieutenant Colonel
106 Territorial Army Battalion (Para)
Abhinav Bindra
Shooting (Olympic Gold)
Lieutenant Colonel
150 Infantry Battalion (TA)
Kapil Dev
Cricket (1983 WC Winner)
Lieutenant Colonel
150 Infantry Battalion (TA)
Nana Patekar
Film Actor
Captain
Maratha Light Infantry (TA)
Sachin Pilot
Politician
Lieutenant
124 TA Battalion (Sikh)
Anurag Thakur
Politician (Ex-Sports Minister)
Captain
124 TA Battalion
Olympic Games
Paris 2024
89.45 m
Silver Medal
Asian Games
Hangzhou 2023
88.88 m
Gold Medal 🥇
World Championships
Budapest 2023
88.17 m
World Champion 🥇
Diamond League Final
Zurich 2022
88.44 m
Trophy Winner 🏆
World Championships
Oregon 2022
88.13 m
Silver Medal
Olympic Games
Tokyo 2020
87.58 m
Olympic Gold 🥇
Asian Games
Jakarta 2018
88.06 m
Gold Medal 🥇
Commonwealth Games
Gold Coast 2018
86.47 m
Gold Medal 🥇
Asian Championships
Bhubaneswar 2017
85.39 m
Gold Medal 🥇
World U20 Championships
Bydgoszcz 2016
86.48 m
U20 World Record 🥇
Asian Junior Championships
Ho Chi Minh 2016
77.60 m
Silver Medal
South Asian Games
Guwahati 2016
82.23 m
Gold Medal 🥇
Section 31 of TA Regulations, 1948
Territorial Army Day
9 October (Est. 18 Aug 1948 / Inauguration 9 Oct 1949)
Neeraj Chopra wins Silver (85.83m) at Glasgow CWG 2026 alongside Yashveer Singh's Bronze. Complete biography covering 90.23m National Record, Tokyo 2020 Gold, Paris 2024 Silver, Budapest 2023 World Championship, Padma Shri (2022), Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army (Section 31, 9 Oct TA Day, MS Dhoni TA rank), and MPPSC/UPSC exam revision notes.
Deepraj Sikarwar Editorial Team1 August 202618 min read
