Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel Rank in Territorial Army

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic gold medallist in javelin throw, has been conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. This prestigious appointment, which took effect on April 16, 2025, was made official through a gazette notification by the Government of India. The announcement was made in accordance with the powers granted by Para-31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948. Neeraj, who has been associated with the Indian Army for several years, continues to receive recognition for both his sporting achievements and military service.

Chopra’s journey with the Indian Army began on August 26, 2016, when he was enrolled as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) with the rank of Naib Subedar. His exemplary service in the military was acknowledged when he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the nation. In 2021, he was promoted to the rank of Subedar, and later in 2022, he achieved the rank of Subedar Major, following the receipt of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), India's highest peacetime military honour.

In addition to his military honours, Chopra’s athletic career has been nothing short of remarkable. He made history in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal in javelin throw. His winning throw of 87.58 meters made him a national hero and brought global recognition to Indian athletics. Chopra’s consistent success on the field has earned him multiple accolades, including the Khel Ratna, the highest sporting award in India.

Looking ahead, Chopra's 2025 athletic calendar is packed with key events, starting with the Doha Diamond League on May 16. He will also participate in the 71st Janusz Kusocinski Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Tour (Silver Level) meet, in Chorzow, Poland, on May 23. Following that, he will compete in the Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic on June 24. Chopra’s career continues to flourish as he seeks to maintain his top form and build on his Olympic success.

However, not all of Chopra’s planned events have gone ahead as expected. He was set to be the face of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru on May 24, a major athletics event. Unfortunately, due to ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, the event was indefinitely suspended. Despite this setback, Chopra remains focused on his training and upcoming competitions, continuing to inspire millions with his achievements both on and off the field.