By Sports Desk | Updated: October 22, 2025, 06:10 PM IST
Reference to Indian Express. on Wednesday, an Indian Olympic gold medalist, Neeraj Chopra received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in an event in New Delhi. Rajnath Singh, the defence minister of the union told reporters that Chopra was the icon of devotion, perseverance and Indian culture of supremacy.
Singh has thought that Lt. Col. (Hony) Neeraj Chopra is a man of a disciplined, devotional and a proud country person that could inspire not only the sporting fraternity but also our Armed Forces.
Journey in the Indian Army
On August 26, 2016, Chopra enlisted in the Indian Army as a Naib Subedar. He had been gradually ascending the rank:
- Promoted to Subedar in 2021
- Elevated to Subedar Major in 2022
In his honor of his outstanding service and his accomplishments, President Droupadi Murmu gave him an honorary commission in the Territorial Army April 16, 2025.
An Ultimate Excellence of Sport that Altered History.
During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, during the javelin throwing event of the men’s category, Neeraj Chopra of Khandra village, Panipat, Haryana, was the first Indian to take the first Olympic gold medal in the event of athletics category.
Chopra had not outworn his impressions in the world scene:
- Paris 2024 Olympics silver medal.
- World Athletics Championships 2023 Gold Medalist.
- Several gold medals in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Diamond League.
In 2025, his personal best broke the history of the Indian sports, and it was 90.23 metres.
Awards and Recognition
Other than the sporting activities that he has achieved, Chopra has also earned some awards of a colossal scale that include:
- Padma Shri
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
- Arjuna Award
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal
- Vishisht Seva Medal
The Ceremony of Lieutenant Colonel Pipping.
In this ceremony, the Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi, the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other senior officials of the military officers gave the insignia of Lieutenant Colonel (Hony) to Chopra.
Singh has been care to point out all-persistent, patriotism and generational inspirationalism of Chopra, in sport, and in the Armed Forces. The mother of Chopra was also present at the great event where she was celebrating great performances of her son.
Neeraj Chopra: A Real National Icon.
Lt. Col. (Hony) Neeraj Chopra ceased to be a sports person. He is the embodiment of Indian soul, and it is full of discipline, excellence, and patriotism. Chopra inspires millions of people in the country both with his military tour and his record performances in his sports.
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