Neeraj Chopra has become a household name in India. The javelin thrower brought glory to the nation with his Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020.
At just 27 years old, he has achieved what many athletes dream of throughout their entire career.
This article covers everything about Neeraj Chopra from his early days in Haryana to his recent marriage with Himani Mor.
Profile Summary
| Full Name | Lieutenant Colonel Neeraj Chopra PVSM VSM |
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1997 |
| Age | 27 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Khandra Village, Panipat, Haryana, India |
| Profession | Javelin Thrower, Indian Army Officer |
| Wife | Himani Mor (married January 2025) |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | Indian |
Age, Height, and Weight
| Current Age | 27 years old |
| Height | 182 cm (6 feet) |
| Weight | 86 kg (189 lbs) |
Early Life and Background
Neeraj Chopra was born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village of Panipat district in Haryana.
He comes from a simple farming family. His father, Satish Kumar Chopra, works as a farmer, while his mother, Saroj Devi, is a homemaker. Neeraj has two younger sisters, Sangeeta and Sarita.
Growing up, Neeraj faced challenges with his weight. As a child, he weighed around 80 kilograms at just 11 years old.
His family affectionately called him Sarpanch because he used to wear white kurta-pyjama. To lose weight, he started visiting the local Panipat Stadium during vacations.
His pocket money was just 30 rupees, and he would travel 17 kilometers by bus to reach the stadium.
It was here that his life changed forever. While training to shed weight, he noticed javelin throwers practicing at Shivaji Stadium. This sparked his interest in the sport that would eventually make him a legend.
How Did Neeraj Start His Javelin Journey?
In 2010, Neeraj took part in a trial at the Sports Authority of India center in Panipat. Coach Jaiveer Singh noticed his raw talent.
Even without formal training, Neeraj could achieve impressive throws. Singh started training him in the basics of javelin throw.
At age 13, Neeraj moved to Panchkula to train at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex. This facility was one of only two places in Haryana with a synthetic runway.
He enrolled at Dayanand Anglo-Vedic College in Chandigarh for his schooling while training hard.
Initially, Neeraj could throw around 55 meters. He and fellow athlete Parminder Singh would watch videos of legendary Czech thrower Jan Železný to learn techniques. Slowly but steadily, his range improved.
Education and Academic Journey
Neeraj completed his initial schooling at Bhartiya Vidya Niketan Public School in Panipat.
After moving to Panchkula, he attended DAV College in Chandigarh. Balancing education with rigorous training was not easy.
He later dropped out of regular college and completed his graduation through correspondence from Kurukshetra University, Haryana. In 2021, he enrolled at Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, Punjab, and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree. His educational journey shows his dedication to both sports and academics.
Career Highlights and Achievements
Junior Career Success
Neeraj burst onto the international scene in 2016. At the IAAF World U20 Championships in Poland, he threw 86.48 meters. This was a junior world record that made everyone take notice.
He won gold at just 18 years and 212 days old.In the same year, he won gold at the South Asian Games with a throw of 82.23 meters.
These early victories set the tone for his future success.
Commonwealth and Asian Games Glory
In 2018, Neeraj dominated both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. At the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, he threw 86.47 meters to win gold.
Just months later at the Jakarta Asian Games, he clinched another gold medal.He repeated his Asian Games success in 2022, winning gold once again.
These victories proved that he was not just a one-time wonder but a consistent performer at the highest level.
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Making History
The Tokyo Olympics in 2021 was the moment India had been waiting for. On August 7, 2021, Neeraj threw 87.58 meters in the final.
This golden throw made him the first Asian javelin thrower to win Olympic gold.He became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal after shooter Abhinav Bindra in 2008.
The entire nation celebrated. Before the Olympics, he had cut his long hair to ensure it would not interfere with his performance.
Neeraj dedicated his gold medal to the legendary Milkha Singh. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat praised him, saying he made the armed forces and the nation proud.
World Championships and Diamond League
In 2022, Neeraj won silver at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, USA. In September 2022, he became the first Indian to win the Diamond League Trophy in Zurich with a throw of 88.44 meters.
The year 2023 was even more remarkable. At the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, he threw 88.77 meters to win gold.
This made him the first Asian to win a World Championship gold in javelin throw. After Anju Bobby George, he became only the second Indian to achieve this feat in track and field.
He continued his winning streak at various Diamond League meets, consistently finishing in the top two from June 2021 to September 2025. This streak is the second longest in history, behind only Jan Železný.
Paris Olympics 2024 and Recent Success
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Neeraj topped his qualification group with a season-best throw of 89.34 meters. In the final, he threw 89.45 meters to win silver.
This made him India’s fifth individual multiple Olympic medalist and the first to win both gold and silver.
In May 2025, at the Doha qualification meet of the Diamond League, Neeraj finally broke the 90-meter barrier.
He threw 90.23 meters, a moment fans had been waiting for. He then hosted the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, which drew over 15,000 spectators.
Personal Life: Marriage to Himani Mor
On January 16, 2025, Neeraj surprised everyone by announcing his marriage to Himani Mor. The intimate wedding ceremony took place in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.
Neeraj shared beautiful photos from the ceremony on social media with the caption expressing gratitude for the blessing.
Himani Mor, age 25, is from Sonipat, Haryana. She is a former tennis player and coach. According to reports, she is currently pursuing a degree in Sports Management at Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire, USA.
She completed her graduation in Political Science and Physical Education from Miranda House in Delhi.
Himani works as a graduate assistant managing the women’s tennis team at Amherst College. The couple has a two-year age gap, with Neeraj being older. Fans were excited to learn about this development in his personal life.
Indian Army Career and Military Rank
In 2016, based on his sporting achievements, Neeraj was recruited into the Indian Army. He was selected for the Mission Olympics Wing training at the Army Sports Institute in Pune. In 2018, he was promoted to the rank of Subedar (Junior Commissioned Officer).
In May 2025, the Government of India honored him with an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army.
The honor was announced through a gazette notification. He was also awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his outstanding service.
Lifestyle and Personal Interests
Training and Discipline
Neeraj is known for his discipline. His physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha, who has worked with him since 2017, describes him as extremely disciplined.
He has trained at the Kuortane Olympic training center in Finland, which specializes in javelin.
He has worked with several coaches throughout his career, including Jaiveer Singh (2010-2011), Naseem Ahmed (2011-2016), Gary Calvert (2016-2017), and Uwe Hohn (2018-2021). Each coach helped him refine different aspects of his technique.
Diet and Fitness
Neeraj follows a strict diet during training. However, he loves sweet treats as cheat meals.
His favorite is fresh homemade churma, which is crushed roti with sugar and ghee. He admits he eats a lot of sweets when given the chance, since they are usually restricted during training.
Hobbies and Interests
Neeraj is an avid animal lover. He owns a Golden Retriever named Tokyo, named after his historic Olympic victory. He often shares pictures with his pet on social media.
He loves traveling on motorcycles. He owns a Harley Davidson and enjoys long rides. Neeraj also enjoys listening to music in his free time, which helps him relax after intense training sessions.
Residence and Properties
Neeraj owns a luxurious three-story mansion in Panipat, Haryana. He lives in a joint family with more than 17 members.
Despite his international fame, he remains connected to his roots and family.
Career Journey
| Year | Event / Milestone | Achievement |
| 2016 | World U20 Championships | Won Gold with a world junior record (86.48m) |
| 2017 | Asian Athletics Championships | Won Gold |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games | Won Gold |
| 2018 | Asian Games | Won Gold and set national record |
| 2021 | Tokyo Olympics | Won Gold (India’s first Olympic gold in athletics) |
| 2022 | World Athletics Championships | Won Silver |
| 2022 | Diamond League Final | Won Gold |
| 2023 | World Athletics Championships | Won Gold |
| 2024 | Paris Olympics | Won Silver |
Major Medals
| Competition | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Olympic Games | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| World Championships | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Asian Games | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Commonwealth Games | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian Championships | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Diamond League Final | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Luxury Cars and Vehicles
Success has brought Neeraj an impressive collection of vehicles. He owns a Range Rover Sport worth around 2 crore rupees.
His collection also includes a Mahindra Thar valued at approximately 12 lakh rupees.
Other vehicles in his garage include a Toyota Fortuner worth about 33 lakh rupees and a Ford Mustang GT valued at around 93.52 lakh rupees. These vehicles reflect both his success and his passion for automobiles.
Brand Endorsements and Partnerships
Neeraj has become one of the most sought-after athletes for brand endorsements in India.
His clean image and massive success have made him a favorite among brands. In May 2025, Audi India announced him as their brand ambassador.
He has endorsed several major brands including Amstrad electronics, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Gatorade, and Noise. In 2021, a CRED commercial featuring Neeraj went viral, showcasing his acting skills in various avatars.
In October 2022, Marvel Studios released a promotional video featuring Neeraj for their movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
His brand endorsement fees are estimated at around 2.5 crore rupees per year, putting him among top Indian athletes.
Awards and Honors
Neeraj has received numerous prestigious awards. In 2018, he was honored with the Arjuna Award for his excellence in sports.
Following his Tokyo Olympics gold, he received the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award in 2021, India’s highest sporting honor.
In March 2022, he was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian awards, in recognition of his contribution to sports.
In February 2022, he earned a nomination for the prestigious Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award, becoming only the third Indian nominated after Sachin Tendulkar and Vinesh Phogat.
He has also received the Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal for his service in the Indian Army. These honors reflect not just his sporting achievements but also his contribution to the nation.
Net Worth and Earnings
As of 2024, Neeraj Chopra’s net worth is estimated at approximately 37 crore rupees. His annual earnings exceed 4 crore rupees.
His income comes from multiple sources including prize money, government rewards, and brand endorsements.
His Olympic gold medal came with significant cash rewards from both central and state governments.
Various corporate houses and organizations also felicitated him with cash prizes. Combined with his endorsement deals, Neeraj has become one of the wealthiest athletes in India.
Impact on Indian Athletics
Before Neeraj, javelin throw had little following in India. His success has changed that completely.
Now, thousands of young Indians are taking up the sport. The Neeraj Chopra Classic, held in Bengaluru, attracted over 15,000 spectators, showing the growing interest.
He has inspired millions of youngsters to pursue athletics seriously. His journey from a small village to Olympic glory shows that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders have frequently praised his achievements and inspiration to youth.
Records and Milestones
Neeraj holds the Indian national record with a throw of 90.23 meters, achieved in May 2025.
He previously set the junior world record of 86.48 meters in 2016. His personal best in senior category was 89.30 meters before breaking the 90-meter barrier.
He achieved 26 consecutive top-two finishes from June 2021 to September 2025, the second longest such streak in javelin throw history.
He is the first Asian to win Olympic gold in javelin and the first Asian to win World Championship gold in this event.
| Year | Record | Distance |
| 2016 | World U20 Record (Bydgoszcz) | 86.48 m |
| 2018 | Asian Games Record (Jakarta) | 88.06 m |
| 2021 | Olympic Gold Winning Throw (Tokyo) | 87.58 m |
| 2022 | Indian National Record (Stockholm DL) | 89.94 m |
| 2023 | World Championships Gold (Budapest) | 88.17 m |
Interesting Facts About Neeraj Chopra
His family and friends lovingly call him Nijju. Before becoming an athlete, villagers used to call him Sarpanch because he wore white kurta-pyjama as a chubby kid.
His uncle Bheem Singh provided crucial support, encouraging him to pursue javelin professionally. According to his uncle, Neeraj had his phone switched off for a year before the Tokyo Olympics to focus entirely on training.
Neeraj comes from a Ror Maratha family in Haryana. He travels on public transport during his early training days with just 30 rupees pocket money. Today, that same boy owns luxury cars worth crores.
In 2024, rumors circulated about his potential marriage to shooter Manu Bhaker after a video went viral. However, Manu clarified that the video was taken out of context, and there was nothing to the rumors.
Conclusion
Neeraj Chopra’s story is one of determination, hard work, and unwavering focus. From an overweight child in a Haryana village to an Olympic champion, his journey inspires millions.
At just 27 years old, he has already achieved what many athletes dream of in their entire careers.
His recent marriage to Himani Mor marks a new chapter in his personal life. With his 90-meter throw in 2025, he has proven that he is far from finished.
As he continues to compete and break barriers, the entire nation watches with pride and excitement.
Neeraj has not just won medals. He has changed the face of Indian athletics. He has shown that Indians can compete and win at the highest level in track and field.
His legacy will inspire generations to come. The golden boy of India continues to shine brighter with each passing day.
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