During the pipping ceremony in South Block, renowned javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra was formally given the glittering insignia of the Honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Neeraj joined the Indian Army on August 26, 2016, as a junior commissioned officer with the rank of naib subedar. He has been with the Rajputana Rifles since then. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the javelin guru became the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field.
He won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris and gold at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, continuing his impressive play. When Rajnath Singh spoke with Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra and his family, he called him “an epitome of perseverance, patriotism, and the Indian spirit of striving for excellence.” Senior representatives from the Indian Army and Territorial Army were in attendance, along with Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.
According to Rajnath Singh, “Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra is an inspiration to generations within the sporting fraternity and the Armed Forces alike, embodying the highest ideals of discipline, dedication, and national pride.” Neeraj has also won numerous gold medals at the Diamond League, Commonwealth, and Asian Games. In Indian sports history, his personal best throw of 90.23 meters (2025) is a significant achievement. On April 16, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu awarded Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra an Honorary commission in the Territorial Army in appreciation of his exceptional accomplishments and valiant devotion to the country.
