Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra was formally promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) during a pipping ceremony on Wednesday attended by Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.
Career Progression
According to The Gazette of India, the appointment took effect April 16. Neeraj Chopra joined the Indian Army as a junior commissioned officer in the rank of Naib Subedar on August 26, 2016.
#WATCH | Delhi | Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and COAS General Upendra Dwivedi pic.twitter.com/bjLwuvoSLj
— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2025
His military promotions have paralleled his athletic achievements: promoted to Subedar in 2021, awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal by the Indian Army in 2022 following his Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medal, and elevated to Subedar Major in 2022.
Awards and Recognition
Neeraj Chopra received the Arjuna Award in 2018 for athletics excellence, followed by the Khel Ratna award in 2021 for sporting performances. He became a Padma Shri recipient—India’s fourth-highest civilian honor—in 2022.
Recent Competition Performance
The 27-year-old javelin thrower recently failed to defend his world title at the World Athletics Championships, finishing eighth with a best throw of 84.03 meters. The result ended his remarkable 26-event streak of top-two finishes dating back to the 2021 Kourtane Games, which preceded his historic Tokyo Olympics gold.
His compatriot Sachin Yadav finished fourth with a best throw of 86.27 meters, narrowly missing a medal but outperforming Chopra.
Post-Competition Response
Following his eighth-place finish, Chopra expressed surprise at his underwhelming performance, mentioning back problems while acknowledging “it is life and sports after all.”
The last time Chopra finished outside the top three was the 2018 Continental Cup in Czechia, where he placed sixth.
Military-Athletic Career
Chopra’s dual identity as both military personnel and elite athlete reflects India’s tradition of supporting sportspersons through armed forces appointments. His honorary Lieutenant Colonel rank recognizes both his athletic achievements and military service contributions.
Significance
The pipping ceremony, attended by top defense leadership, underscores the government’s recognition of sporting excellence alongside military service. Chopra’s promotion highlights the intersection of India’s sporting ambitions and institutional support systems that enable athletes to pursue international competition while maintaining military affiliations.
Despite his recent championship disappointment, Chopra remains India’s most decorated track and field athlete, with the promotion marking continued institutional recognition of his contributions to Indian sports.
