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Neeraj Chopra Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 12, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth24 December 1997

Age27 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceKhandra Village, Panipat District, Haryana

ProfessionJavelin thrower; Junior Commissioned Officer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseHimani Mor

FamilyFather - Satish Kumar Chopra; Mother - Saroj Devi; Sisters - Sangeeta and Sarita

Neeraj Chopra Biography

Neeraj Chopra is an Indian javelin thrower and Junior Commissioned Officer from Khandra Village in Panipat, Haryana. A two-time Olympic and World-class med

Early life and background
Neeraj Chopra was born on 24 December 1997 in Khandra Village, Panipat district, Haryana. Raised in a large joint family, he grew up in Panipat and later moved to pursue better training opportunities. He attended DAV College, Chandigarh and is also associated with Kurukshetra University, Haryana, completing his graduation through correspondence.

As a boy he struggled with his weight and sought out sport to get fitter. Exposure to local athletes at the Panipat and Panchkula stadiums prompted him to try the javelin; an early mentor recognised his natural ability and encouraged him to continue. Training facilities were limited in his village, so at age 14 he relocated to Panchkula to access synthetic tracks and higher-level coaching.

Career
Neeraj began formal javelin training at Sports Authority of India centres and the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. He made an early mark at junior competitions, breaking through at national and international youth events. In 2016 he won the World U20 Championships and registered national records as he rose through the ranks.

He serves in the Indian Army and was appointed as a Junior Commissioned Officer in 2016, later promoted to the rank of Subedar in his parent unit, 4 Rajputana Rifles. He has trained at the Army Sports Institute and the Mission Olympics Wing as his international career progressed.

Neeraj’s major international successes include gold medals at the 2016 South Asian Games, the 2017 Asian Championships, the 2018 Asian Games, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), and the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. He has also won Diamond League and Lausanne and Paavo Nurmi meetings, among other top-level events. Notable national records and top throws were registered across 2018–2023, including progressively longer national marks culminating in throws in the high 80-metre range.

Injuries and recovery have been part of his journey: he underwent surgery in 2019 to address an elbow injury sustained during competition. He has credited structured training, international coaching, and support from the army and mentors for his rise.

Public profile
Neeraj’s Olympic gold in Tokyo made him the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold in athletics and only the second individual Olympic gold medallist for India after Abhinav Bindra. That victory brought a wide public response and several cash and job rewards from state and sporting bodies.

He has received numerous national honours, including the Arjuna Award (2018), the Vishisht Seva Medal (2020), the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021), and the Padma Shri (2022). He was also named among Hindustan Times’ Top 30 Under 30 and earned a nomination for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award.

Neeraj is known for training discipline and focus; those close to him have described periods when he limited distractions to concentrate on preparation for major championships. He has also been active in philanthropic gestures during national crises, making a donation to the PM CARES Fund during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal life
Neeraj comes from a farming family; his father, Satish Kumar Chopra, works in agriculture and his mother is Saroj Devi. He has two sisters, Sangeeta and Sarita. He married Himani Mor, a tennis player; the marriage took place in January 2025 in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. He is nicknamed "Nijju" and lists Jan Zelezny as an influence in javelin.

He follows an evolving personal diet and has shifted from a vegetarian to a non-vegetarian diet over time. Neeraj has several personal interests, including films and music, and maintains a profile as a high-achieving sportsperson from Haryana who continues to encourage improved sports infrastructure in villages.

Latest updates
Neeraj continued to compete at top international meetings through 2023 and beyond, with wins at major Diamond League and world events. His competitive calendar includes appearances at prestigious meets such as the Paavo Nurmi Games and other Diamond League fixtures. Recognition and awards have followed his global successes, and he remains an active figure in Indian athletics both on and off the field.
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Recent Work

Gold medal — Tokyo Olympics 2020 (held 2021)

Won Olympic gold in men’s javelin with a throw of 87.58 m, becoming India’s first Olympic gold medallist in athletics.

2021
Gold medal — World Athletics Championships, Budapest

Won gold, covering a distance of 88.77 m to become India’s first World Athletics Championships gold medallist.

2023
Diamond League Trophy — Zurich

Won the Diamond League trophy with a throw of 88.44 m in Zurich.

2022
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Career Highlights

  1. Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020, held in 2021)
  2. World Athletics Championships gold medalist (2023)
  3. Multiple national records in javelin throw
  4. Recipient of Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna and Padma Shri
  5. Junior Commissioned Officer (Subedar) in the Indian Army
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Neeraj Chopra born?

24 December 1997

What is Neeraj Chopra known for?

Javelin thrower; Junior Commissioned Officer

What is Neeraj Chopra’s marital status?

Married

Who is Neeraj Chopra married to?

Himani Mor