Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has been conferred with the Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. As per the Gazette of India, a weekly public journal and an authorised document made legal by the Government of India, the appointment came into effect on April 16, 2025.
The Indian Army has garnered massive praises in the last couple of weeks due to their efforts amid the conflict against Pakistan. Chopra, meanwhile, had already held the position of Junior Commissioned Officer in the rank of Naib Subedar in the Indian Army. In September 2018, the track and field athlete also received the Arjuna Award.
A statement from Major General GS Choudhry, Joint Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, read, as below:
"No 3 (E) dated 9th May 2025 in exercise of the powers conferred by Para -31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948, the president is pleased to confer on sEx- Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, Padma Shri, VSM, Village & Post Office Khandra, Panipat, Haryana with effect from 16 April, 2025."
Moreover, the 27-year-old earned the Khel Ratna Award Vishisht Seva Medal owing to his meritorious service. It was also in 2021 that he won the Olympic gold medal, the edition which took place in Tokyo, with a throw of 87.58 meters. In the process, he became the first Indian track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold.
Neeraj Chopra's upcoming tournaments
Meanwhile, the Javelin thrower will begin his season on May 16, Friday at the Doha Diamond League. It will be followed by 71st Janusz Kusocinski Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Tour (Silver Level) meet in Chorzow, Poland.
He was set to compete in the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on May 24. However, the military conflict between India and Pakistan resulted in its suspension.
