Neeraj Chopra Makes History, Becomes World No. 1 in Men's Javelin Rankings. Neeraj Chopra, the Indian athlete and reigning Olympic champion in men's javelin throw, has achieved yet another historic feat by securing the top spot in the world rankings for men's javelin. This remarkable achievement has placed him as the number-one javelin thrower globally, marking a significant milestone in his career and bringing immense pride to India.

The rise of Neeraj Chopra to the pinnacle of the javelin rankings is a testament to his exceptional talent, hard work, and dedication. His journey began in the small town of Khandra in Haryana, where he first discovered his passion for athletics. Over the years, he honed his skills, showcasing immense potential and determination to excel in his chosen discipline.

Neeraj's breakthrough moment came at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships, where he clinched the gold medal and announced himself on the international stage. Since then, he has consistently showcased his prowess, setting new records and earning accolades in various competitions.

The pinnacle of Neeraj's career came at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where he won the gold medal with a spectacular throw of 87.58 meters, becoming India's first-ever Olympic champion in athletics. This achievement catapulted him into the global spotlight and solidified his position as one of the world's finest javelin throwers.

Neeraj's recent elevation to the top of the world rankings is a testament to his remarkable performances and consistent excellence. His throwing technique, explosive power, and precision have garnered admiration from athletes and experts worldwide. This milestone further cements his status as a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics.

With this achievement, Neeraj Chopra has not only etched his name in the annals of Indian sporting history but has also become an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the nation. His success serves as a reminder of the immense potential that exists within Indian sports and ignites a sense of belief and pride in the capabilities of Indian athletes on the global stage.

Neeraj's journey to becoming the world number one in men's javelin is a testament to the perseverance, determination, and resilience required to reach the pinnacle of any sport. He has become a role model for aspiring athletes, inspiring them to dream big and work relentlessly towards their goals.

As Neeraj continues his journey, the hopes and expectations of the nation rest upon his shoulders. His success not only elevates the profile of athletics in India but also serves as a catalyst for the development and growth of the sport within the country.

In conclusion, Neeraj Chopra's ascent to the top of the world rankings in men's javelin is a historic moment for Indian athletics. His achievements signify a new era of excellence in the sport and inspire generations of athletes to strive for greatness. With his continued dedication and remarkable talent, Neeraj has the potential to leave an indelible mark on the world of javelin throws and continue to make India proud.

Let's delve into the details of his notable achievements:

1. Olympic Gold Medal (2021): Neeraj Chopra created history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by winning the gold medal in the men's javelin throw. With a remarkable throw of 87.58 meters, he became the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics. This achievement not only brought him international acclaim but also elevated the profile of Indian athletics on the global stage.

2. Asian Games Gold Medal (2018): Neeraj showcased his exceptional talent and dominance in the javelin throw at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. With a throw of 88.06 meters, he won the gold medal and set a new national record. This victory further solidified his status as one of Asia's finest javelin throwers.

3. Commonwealth Games Gold Medal (2018): Neeraj continued his golden run at the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia. He delivered a phenomenal performance, securing the gold medal with a throw of 86.47 meters. This achievement showcased his consistency and established him as a force to be reckoned with in international athletics.

4. World U20 Championships Gold Medal (2016): Neeraj first burst onto the international scene at the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships held in Bydgoszcz, Poland. He clinched the gold medal with a throw of 86.48 meters, becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in any World Championships event. This victory marked a turning point in his career and garnered attention from the global athletics community.

5. Arjuna Award (2018): In recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions to Indian athletics, Neeraj Chopra was honored with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2018. This national sports award is conferred by the Government of India to athletes who have displayed exceptional talent, sportsmanship, and dedication to their respective disciplines.

6. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2021): Neeraj's remarkable performance at the Tokyo Olympics earned him the highest sporting honor in India, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. This prestigious award, conferred by the Government of India, recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions of Indian athletes in their respective sports.

7. Padma Shri Award (2021): In recognition of his extraordinary achievements and contributions to the field of sports, Neeraj Chopra was conferred with the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards. This award acknowledges his excellence in javelin throw and his role as an inspiring figure in Indian sports.

Neeraj Chopra's remarkable journey in athletics and his consistent success have not only brought him numerous medals and accolades but have also elevated the profile of Indian athletics on the global stage. His achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in India and showcase the immense talent and potential within the country's sporting landscape.

With his unwavering dedication, remarkable talent, and determination, Neeraj Chopra continues to make significant contributions to the world of javelin throw. His success has not only earned him well-deserved recognition and respect but has also ignited a sense of pride and belief in the capabilities of Indian athletes on the international stage. As he continues to excel and strive for greatness, Neeraj Chopra remains a true icon in Indian athletics and an inspiration for generations to come.

Early Life and Education

Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, VSM (born 24 December 1997) is a track and field athlete from India. 

Neeraj Chopra was born in a Haryanvi Ror family in Khandra Panipat, Haryana. He has two sisters and his family is largely involved in agriculture. He did his schooling from BVN Public School. He graduated from Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College in Chandigarh, and as of 2021, was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts from Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, Punjab.

Impressed with Chopra's performance at the South Asian Games and his future potential, the Indian Army offered him a direct appointment as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Rajputana Rifles with the rank of Naib Subedar.^[14][a] He accepted the offer and joined the army under the sports quota.

After local children teased him about his childhood obesity, Chopra's father enrolled him in a gymnasium at Madlauda; he was later enrolled in a gym in Panipat. While playing at Shivaji Stadium in Panipat, he saw some javelin throwers and began participating himself.

Chopra visited the Panipat Sports Authority of India (SAI) center, where javelin thrower Jaiveer Choudhary recognized his early talent in the winter of 2010. Observing Chopra's ability to achieve a 40-meter throw without training and impressed by his drive, Choudhary became his first coach.^[18] Chopra learned the basics of the sport from Choudhary and a few more experienced athletes who had trained under a javelin coach in Jalandhar. He soon won his first medal, a bronze in the district championships, and then persuaded his family to allow him to live in Panipat while developing his abilities.

After training under Choudhary for a year, the 13-year-old Chopra was admitted to the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula. The sports complex was then one of only two facilities in the state of Haryana with a synthetic runway. There, he trained under coach Naseem Ahmad, a running coach who made him train in long-distance running along with the javelin throw. As Panchkula lacked a specialized javelin coach, he and fellow javelin thrower Parminder Singh downloaded videos of the Czech champion Jan Zelezny and attempted to copy his style. While initially at Tau Devi, Chopra typically achieved throws of around 55 meters but soon increased his range, and in the National Junior Athletics Championships in Lucknow on 27 October 2012, won gold with a new national record throw of 68.40 meters.

International beginnings

In 2013, Neeraj Chopra entered his first international competition, the World Youth Championships in Ukraine. He won his first international medal in 2014, a silver at the Youth Olympics Qualification in Bangkok. He achieved his first throw of over 70 meters at the 2014 senior nationals.

In 2015, Chopra broke the previous world record in the junior category, throwing 81.04 meters in the 2015 All India Inter-University Athletics meet; this was his first throw of over 80 meters.

Chopra finished fifth at the 2015 National Games in Kerala, and received a callback for the national-level training camp as a result, leaving Panchkula in 2016 to train at Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala. According to Chopra, his inclusion in the national camp marked a turning point in his career, as he received better facilities, a better quality diet, and an improved standard of training from that available at Panchkula. According to him, training with national-level javelin throwers boosted his morale. Chopra was also assigned his first dedicated javelin coach, 2010 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Kashinath Naik, but found Naik's training regimen too difficult and resumed training on his own after a month and a half