Neeraj Chopra is one of India’s brightest stars in athletics, particularly in javelin throw. His remarkable achievements, including gold medals at the IAAF World U-20 Championships, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, have made him an iconic figure in Indian sports. Below are the detailed highlights of his career, including his record-breaking gold at the 2016 World U-20 Championships, his historic double gold in 2018, and his leadership role as the youngest flagbearer for India at the 2018 Asian Games.
Achievement: Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal at the IAAF World U-20 Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with a winning throw of 86.48 meters.
This was a historic victory for India as Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the IAAF World U-20 Championships.
Not only did he win India’s first gold at the U-20 level, but he also set a junior world record with his throw of 86.48 meters, a distance that marked him as a future star in the javelin throw event globally.
This achievement was a milestone in Indian athletics, as Neeraj became the first Indian to set a junior world record in athletics. His victory in 2016 brought India its first-ever recognition at the junior level in this event and positioned Neeraj as one of the top javelin throwers in the world.
Achievement: Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal with a throw of 86.47 meters, breaking the national record.
Neeraj’s gold medal in 2018 at the Commonwealth Games was an outstanding achievement. His throw of 86.47 meters not only secured the gold but also set a new national record, demonstrating his exceptional skill and consistency.
With this win, Neeraj became the second Indian after Milkha Singh to win both the Commonwealth and Asian Games gold medals in the same year, making him a standout figure in Indian athletics.
This victory was monumental for Indian sports, especially javelin throw, which had never before seen such prominence at the Commonwealth level. His success helped bring attention to the sport in India and also placed Neeraj among the elite javelin throwers in the world.
Achievement: Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal with a throw of 88.06 meters, once again breaking his own national record.
Neeraj’s gold at the Asian Games was a historic moment for India, as it not only added to India’s medal tally but also confirmed Neeraj as the best javelin thrower in Asia at the time.
His throw of 88.06 meters further solidified his place among the best javelin throwers in the world and was a continuation of his stellar performances throughout the year.
The Asian Games gold was Neeraj’s second major international gold in 2018, and his success in both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games was unprecedented in Indian athletics.
Age: At the age of 20 years, Neeraj Chopra was the youngest-ever flagbearer for the Indian contingent at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Being selected as the flagbearer at such a young age was a huge honor and recognition of Neeraj’s achievements and his rising stature in Indian sports.
His selection as flagbearer reflected his position as a leader in Indian athletics, particularly in the field of track and field events.
Neeraj’s leadership role at such a young age was a clear indication of the respect he had earned, not just for his athletic prowess but also for his discipline, focus, and commitment to representing India at the highest level.
2016 World U-20 Championships Gold & Junior World Record: Neeraj became the first Indian to win a gold at the World U-20 Championships and set a junior world record with his throw of 86.48 meters.
2018 Commonwealth Games Gold: Neeraj clinched the gold medal in the javelin throw at the 2018 Commonwealth Games with a throw of 86.47 meters, breaking the national record.
2018 Asian Games Gold: Neeraj won the gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games with a throw of 88.06 meters, further solidifying his place as one of the world’s top javelin throwers.
National Records: Throughout his career, Neeraj has broken national records multiple times, further establishing his dominance in the javelin throw event.
Inspiration for Future Generations: Neeraj Chopra’s success has had a profound impact on Indian athletics, especially in the field events. His achievements have inspired countless young athletes to take up javelin throw and other track and field events, showcasing that India can compete at the highest level in global athletics.
Boost to Indian Track and Field: Neeraj’s victories have brought global attention to Indian track and field and particularly to javelin throw, an event that was relatively unknown in the country before his rise to prominence.
International Recognition: His gold medal performances at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, along with his earlier U-20 Championships gold, helped India earn recognition in the world of athletics.
Neeraj Chopra’s career is nothing short of extraordinary. His historic gold at the 2016 IAAF World U-20 Championships, his double gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, and his role as the youngest flagbearer at the 2018 Asian Games have made him one of India’s most celebrated athletes. At just 20 years old, Neeraj had already achieved more than most athletes could dream of in a lifetime. His impact on Indian athletics is profound, and his future in the sport looks incredibly promising as he continues to inspire millions with his achievements and leadership.
