Olympic gold medallist and India’s javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army. The recognition ceremony took place in Delhi in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.
The honorary rank acknowledges Neeraj’s remarkable contributions to Indian athletics and his influence in inspiring millions of young sportspersons across the country. He now joins an elite list of athletes who have received honorary ranks in the armed forces for bringing pride to the nation.
According to The Gazette of India, the honorary appointment officially took effect on April 16. Neeraj first joined the Indian Army as a Junior Commissioned Officer (Naib Subedar) on August 26, 2016. Since then, his career within the Army has progressed alongside his achievements on the global athletics stage.
A Trailblazer in Indian Sport
Neeraj’s rise has been nothing short of inspirational. He received the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2018, followed by the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in 2021 after his historic Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games India’s first-ever in athletics. The same year, he was promoted to the rank of Subedar, and in 2022, elevated again to Subedar Major.
For his contributions to Indian sport, the Indian Army honoured him with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022. That year, he was also conferred with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
Recent Challenges in Competition
Despite a string of consistent top-two finishes in 26 international competitions since 2021, Neeraj’s streak ended recently at the World Athletics Championships, where he placed eighth with a best throw of 84.03 metres. His compatriot, Sachin Yadav, surpassed him narrowly, finishing fourth with a throw of 86.27 metres.
Reflecting on the result, Neeraj admitted to being surprised by his performance, revealing he was dealing with back issues. “It’s life and sports ups and downs happen,” the 27-year-old athlete said after the event.
Before this, the last time Neeraj failed to finish in the top three was at the 2018 Continental Cup in Czechia, where he placed sixth.
Neeraj’s enduring dedication, discipline, and humility continue to make him a role model for India’s youth now with not only Olympic glory but also an honorary rank that celebrates his patriotic contribution beyond the sporting field.