India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra to be conferred with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Indian army. Olympic champion, will be formally awarded the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army on October 22, a befitting addition to his already illustrious career. The honor went into effect officially on April 16, but the ceremonial appointment will be made during this week, as per The Gazette of India.
Chopra, who joined the Indian Army on August 26, 2016, as a Naib Subedar, has consistently gone up the ranks over the past years. He was promoted to Subedar in 2021 and subsequently to Subedar Major in 2022. His outstanding service to Indian sports has also earned him lots of national awards including the Arjuna Award (2018), Khel Ratna (2021), and the Padma Shri (2022). Subsequent to his gold medal victory at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Indian Army again rewarded him with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, its highest peacetime award.
Most recently, Chopra took part in the World Athletics Championships, where he managed an 84.03 metres best throw to finish eighth a rare fall-off following an amazing streak of 26 consecutive top-two finishes. Indian teammate Sachin Yadav fell just short of the podium with a personal record of 86.27 metres, out-thewing the Olympic champion on the day.
Neeraj Chopra has made India proud time and then, he has represented India on the highest level and always clinched a medal whether its Olympics or any other event. He won the gold medal and silver medal in the last two Olympics.
