Olympic Gold Medallist Neeraj Chopra Honoured as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in Indian Army

From Tokyo Olympics glory to military distinction, Neeraj Chopra’s journey continues with a new honorary rank, reflecting his dual excellence in sports and service.

Olympic gold medallist and javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra was officially honoured with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) in the Indian Army on Wednesday. The appointment, as per The Gazette of India, has been effective from April 16, marking a proud milestone in the 27-year-old athlete’s dual journey in sports and service.

Also Read:President Droupadi Murmu becomes first Indian President to carry the Irumudi at Sabarimala

Chopra, who joined the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar on August 26, 2016, steadily rose through the ranks, earning promotion to Subedar in 2021. His stellar track record in athletics has been recognised with the Arjuna Award in 2018 and the prestigious Khel Ratna award in 2021.

Following his historic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Chopra received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, the Indian Army’s highest peacetime honour. That same year, he was promoted to Subedar Major and also conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.

Despite an impressive streak of 26 consecutive top-two finishes in international competitions, Chopra recently finished eighth at the World Athletics Championships with a best throw of 84.03 m. Fellow Indian athlete Sachin Yadav showcased a strong performance, finishing fourth with a throw of 86.27 m, narrowly missing the podium.

Chopra’s journey reflects an extraordinary blend of athletic excellence and national service, inspiring young athletes and citizens alike. The ceremonial pipping as Lieutenant Colonel symbolises recognition not just for his sporting achievements but also for his commitment to the nation.

Also Read:“The problem isn’t money, it is ...”: Chidambaram reacts as Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw offers to fix Bengaluru roadsNeeraj Chopra