Poonam Nath

Olympic Medalist Neeraj Chopra honored as lieutenant colonel in Indian Army

Digital Desk: Two-time Olympic medalist and ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was decorated by the Indian Army with the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel in the Indian Army.

Neeraj, a 27-year-old Indian athlete, joined the Indian Army in 2016 as a junior commissioned officer in the rank of Naib Subedar. He was awarded the Arjuna Award and Khel Ratna Award for his athletics achievements. In 2021, he was promoted to Subedar Major and was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest peacetime medal of the Indian Army. In 2022, he was promoted to Subedar Major and received the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India.

The Ministry of Defence published a notice in the Gazette of India, a weekly public journal and an authorised legal document of the Government of India (GoI), as per it the appointment came into effect on April 16.

"No 3 (E) dated 9 May 2025 in exercise of the powers conferred by Para 31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948, the president is pleased to confer Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army on sEx-Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, Padma Shri, VSM, Village & Post Office Khandra, Panipat, Haryana with effect from 16 April, 2025," read the statement.

The Sports Authority of Gujarat also posted their wishes, congratulating Neeraj, "Heartiest congratulations to Olympic Multi Medalist Neeraj Chopra on being conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army! From bringing Olympic glory to receiving military honour, it’s a proud moment for every Indian," the post read.

Heartiest congratulations to Olympic Multi Medalist Neeraj Chopra on being conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army! From bringing Olympic glory to receiving military honour, it’s a proud moment for every Indian. pic.twitter.com/T04zsWCNP2

— Sports Authority of Gujarat (@sagofficialpage) May 15, 2025

On May 16, two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra will participate in the Doha Diamond League. With an 84.52-meter effort, he won the six-man field at the Potch Invitational Track event in South Africa to start the season.

Chopra will also participate in the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia on June 24 and the Janusz Kusociński Memorial 2025 athletics competition in Poland on May 23.

At Tokyo 25 in September of this year, he will also be defending his title as world champion.