neeraj Chopra

“Neeraj Chopra: Champion of Olympic and World Javelin” – Ready for Paris Olympics 2024

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Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra: From Humble Beginnings to Global Stardom

Early Success and Olympic Qualification

Neeraj Chopra secured his spot in the Paris Olympics 2024 in August 2023 and the World Championships final with a remarkable javelin throw of 88.77m. His journey to becoming India’s first World Athletics Championships gold medalist began in his village of Khandra, Haryana.

A Rising Star’s Origins

Born into a Haryanvi Ror family, Neeraj initially struggled with weight issues but found his calling in athletics at a young age. Introduced to javelin throwing by coach Jai Choudhary, Neeraj’s talent was evident early on despite limited resources.

Early Days and First Coach

Neeraj Chopra’s journey in javelin throw began at the Panipat Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in 2010, where he trained alongside Akshay Choudhary from Ghaziabad. Impressed by Chopra’s natural talent, Choudhary, a javelin thrower himself, became his first coach. Despite minimal training, Chopra demonstrated a throw of 40 meters, sparking Choudhary’s interest and setting the stage for his early development in the sport.

Learning and Initial Success

Under Choudhary’s guidance and alongside experienced athletes from Jalandhar, Chopra learned the fundamentals of javelin throw. His dedication quickly paid off when he won his first medal—a bronze—in district championships. Encouraged by this early success, Chopra convinced his family to allow him to move to Panipat to focus on further honing his skills.

Training at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex

At the age of 13, Neeraj Chopra moved to the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula, equipped with one of Haryana’s only synthetic runways at the time. Under the coaching of Naseem Ahmad, who specialized in long-distance running, Chopra trained rigorously in both running and javelin throw techniques. Despite the lack of a dedicated javelin coach in Panchkula, Chopra and fellow thrower Parminder Singh studied videos of Czech champion Jan Zelezny to refine their techniques.

Emergence on the National Stage

Chopra’s hard work and training soon paid dividends. At the National Junior Athletics Championships in Lucknow on October 27, 2012, he made a significant breakthrough, setting a new national record with a throw of 68.40 meters and winning gold. This achievement marked a pivotal moment in Chopra’s career, showcasing his potential as a rising star in Indian athletics.

Stepping onto the Global Stage

After missing the 2016 Olympics due to timing constraints, Neeraj continued to hone his skills under coach Uwe Hohn. In 2021, he made history at the Tokyo Olympics, winning India’s first-ever gold in athletics with a throw of 87.58m.

Continued Dominance and Impact

Since his Olympic triumph, Neeraj has shattered national records, won medals at prestigious events like the World Athletics Championships, and inspired a resurgence in Indian javelin throwing. His influence extends beyond the field, driving improvements in facilities and support for aspiring athletes.

Looking Ahead to Paris Olympics 2024

With his sights set on further medals and continued improvement, Neeraj Chopra remains a beacon of hope and inspiration for the future of Indian athletics. His dedication and achievements continue to elevate the profile of javelin throwing in India and beyond.

Personal Background

  • Birth: 24 December 1997, Khandra, Haryana, India
  • Family: Belongs to a Haryanvi Ror family involved in agriculture
  • Education: BVN Public School, Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College (Chandigarh), Lovely Professional University (Jalandhar)

Military Service

Athletics Career

Early Achievements
  • World Under-20 Championships: Set a world U20 record of 86.48 m in 2016
  • Youth Olympics: Won silver in 2014
  • National Record: Indian record holder for javelin throw
Major Championships
  • 2018 Commonwealth Games: Gold medalist, setting a record of 86.47 m
  • 2018 Asian Games: Flag-bearer and gold medalist, throwing 88.06 m
Injury and Comeback
  • 2019: Missed World Championships due to elbow surgery
  • 2020: Returned with a national record throw of 88.07 m
  • 2021: Won Olympic gold in Tokyo with a throw of 87.58 m, setting new records
Post-Olympic Achievements
  • 2022 World Championships: Silver medal with a throw of 88.13 m
  • 2023 World Championships: Gold medal with a throw of 88.17 m
  • Asian Games 2022: Gold medal with a throw of 88.88 m

Recognition and Legacy

  • Firsts: First Asian to win Olympic gold and World Championship gold in javelin throw
  • Honors: Youngest Indian Olympic gold medalist in an individual event
  • International Rankings: Achieved #1 world ranking in men’s javelin throw

Coaching and Development

  • Coaches: Trained under various coaches including Gary Calvert, Uwe Hohn, and Klaus Bartonietz
  • Training: Trained extensively in India and abroad to refine technique and performance

Personal Bests and Records

  • Personal Best: 89.94 m (2022)
  • Medal Records: Multiple gold medals in Olympic, World Championship, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games

Neeraj Chopra’s journey from a promising young athlete in Haryana to becoming a global icon in javelin throw showcases his resilience, dedication, and historic achievements in Indian athletics.

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