Olympic gold-medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was formally awarded the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army during a ceremony in Delhi on Wednesday.
The event was attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
The appointment, as per The Gazette of India, took effect from 16 April. By way of background, Chopra originally joined the Indian Army as a Junior Commissioned Officer at the rank of Naib Subedar on 26 August 2016.
Over the years, his sporting achievements have been recognised through multiple honours: the Arjuna Award, the Khel Ratna in 2021, the Param Vishisht Seva Medal from the Army in 2022, and the Padma Shri in the same year.
A Soldier Beyond the Stadium
For the Indian Army, Chopra’s elevation is not just symbolic. It represents discipline, humility, and patriotism that mirror military values. Despite global fame, he remains deeply grounded — often crediting the Army for instilling focus and resilience in him.
Apart from the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Arjuna Award, Chopra has also received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) from the Army, acknowledging his contribution to India’s sporting excellence.
An Inspiration for a Generation
Neeraj Chopra is more than an athlete — he’s a movement. His influence has driven a surge of interest in track-and-field disciplines across India, inspiring young athletes to dream beyond cricket’s shadow.
As he now wears the honorary uniform of a Lieutenant Colonel, Chopra stands as a symbol of India’s evolving athletic identity — one built on courage, integrity, and the power of self-belief.
“For me, wearing the Indian uniform — whether on the field or in the Army — is
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