New Delhi [India], October 22 (ANI): India’s Olympic gold medalist and former World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra expressed his delight with being given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel within the Territorial Army, calling it ‘greater than an honour’ and a ‘duty in the direction of the nation’.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh formally conferred the gleaming insignia of Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel within the Territorial Army upon Neeraj throughout the pipping ceremony in South Block, New Delhi, on Wednesday.
Interacting with Lt. Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra and his relations, Singh described him as an epitome of perseverance, patriotism and the Indian spirit of striving for excellence, as per a launch from the Ministry of Defence.
‘Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra embodies the very best beliefs of self-discipline, dedication and nationwide pleasure, serving as an inspiration to generations throughout the sporting fraternity and the Armed Forces alike,’ stated Rajnath Singh.
Now, taking to Instagram, Neeraj expressed his happiness at being given the honour and prolonged his due to the Union Defence Minister for a similar.
‘This is greater than an honour – it’s a duty in the direction of my nation. Thank you Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh ji and the Territorial Army for conferring upon me the honorary rank of Lt Col. Proud to put on this uniform. Jai Hind,’ posted Neeraj on his Instagram deal with.
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Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and different senior officers of the Indian Army and Territorial Army have been current on the event.
Enrolled within the Indian Army in 2016, Lt. Col (Hony) Chopra has served with The Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army. Born on 24 December 1997 in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana, he has introduced immense pleasure to the Nation and the Armed Forces by way of his exceptional accomplishments in worldwide athletics.
The star javelin thrower created historical past by changing into the primary Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in observe and subject on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. He continued his stellar efficiency by successful a silver medal on the Paris Olympics in 2024 and a gold medal on the World Athletics Championships in 2023, changing into the primary Indian to turn into a world champion in athletics.
He has additionally secured a number of gold medals on the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Diamond League occasions. His private greatest throw of 90.23 metres (2025) stands as a milestone in Indian sporting historical past.
Recently, Neeraj’s gorgeous 26-event run of occupying both of the highest two spots on the rostrum got here to an finish on a heartbreaking be aware with an Eighth-place end throughout his world title defence within the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
Aside from this uncommon setback, the Indian famous person has loved a profitable 2025 season. He took the highest honours within the inaugural version of the Neeraj Chopra Classic, a contest named after him at Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru in July. The then-javelin throw champion stood triumphant with 86.18m.
Neeraj kickstarted the season with a win on the Potch Invitational in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April and adopted it up with a really particular second-place end at Doha Diamond League in May, the place he crossed the 90-metre mark for the primary time ever, with a throw of 90.23 m.
He additionally went on to safe a second spot within the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland later that month and resumed his successful methods with back-to-back titles at Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike, with greatest efforts of 88.16 m and 85.29 m.
In late August, Chopra’s streak of high two finishes at occasions continued as he secured the second spot with the very best throw of 85.01 m throughout the Diamond League closing in Zurich. (ANI)