How Neeraj Chopra Became India’s Javelin King with Two Consecutive Diamond League Victories

The humble beginnings of a champion

Neeraj Chopra was born on 24 December 1997 in Khandra village, Panipat district, Haryana. He belongs to a Ror Maratha family and his parents are farmers. He has two sisters and a brother. He did his schooling from BVN Public School and graduated from DAV College, Chandigarh. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts from Lovely Professional University in Jalandhar, Punjab.

Neeraj Chopra started his career as a javelin thrower in 2011 when he joined the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula under coach Jaiveer Singh. He soon showed his talent by breaking the national junior record in 2012 with a throw of 68.46 m. He then went on to win several medals at national and international events, including the gold medal at the 2016 World Junior Championships where he set a world U20 record of 86.48 m3. He also joined the Indian Army in 2016 as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Rajputana Rifles.

The rise of a star

Neeraj Chopra made his mark on the global stage by winning gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2018 Asian Games, serving as the flag-bearer in the latter. He also won several other competitions in Europe and Asia, setting new national records along the way. He became one of the top javelin throwers in the world and earned praise from legends like Jan Zelezny and Uwe Hohn.

However, his career was hampered by injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced him to miss most of the 2019 and 2020 seasons. He underwent elbow surgery in 2019 and had to train at home during the lockdown. He also faced visa issues and travel restrictions that limited his exposure to international competitions.

Despite these challenges, Neeraj Chopra did not give up on his dream of winning an Olympic medal. He qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 with a throw of 87.86 m at the Indian Grand Prix. He then trained hard under his coach Uwe Hohn and physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha, who helped him improve his strength, flexibility, and recovery.

The historic Olympic gold

Neeraj Chopra created history by winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 with a throw of 87.58 m. He became the first Indian track and field athlete to win an Olympic medal, and only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal after shooter Abhinav Bindra. He also became the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in men’s javelin throw.

Neeraj Chopra dominated the competition from start to finish, topping both the qualifying round and the final round. His first throw of 87.03 m was enough to secure him the gold, but he improved it with his second throw of 87.58 m. His third throw was a foul, but he did not need any more attempts to seal his victory.

Neeraj Chopra’s gold medal was a moment of joy and pride for India, which had never won a medal in athletics at the Olympics before. His achievement inspired millions of Indians who aspire to achieve their dreams through hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

The double Diamond League triumph

After winning the Olympic gold, Neeraj Chopra did not rest on his laurels. He continued to train hard and compete at the highest level. He participated in two Diamond League events in September 2023, which are considered as the most prestigious one-day meetings in athletics.

Neeraj Chopra won both events with impressive throws of 88.36 m and 88.44 m respectively. He became the first Indian-ever to win a Diamond League title, let alone two in a row. He also improved his national record twice and came close to breaking his personal best of 89.94 m.

Neeraj Chopra’s double Diamond League victory proved that he is not a one-hit wonder, but a consistent performer who can challenge the best in the world. He also showed his mental strength and confidence by overcoming the pressure and expectations that come with being an Olympic champion.

The future of a legend

Neeraj Chopra has achieved what no other Indian track and field athlete has ever done. He has won the Olympic gold, the World Championships silver, and the Diamond League title in the javelin throw. He has also set multiple national and world records and won numerous medals at various events.

But Neeraj Chopra is not satisfied with his achievements. He wants to improve his performance and break the 90 m barrier, which only a few javelin throwers have done. He also wants to win more medals for India at the upcoming events like the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, and the World Championships.

Neeraj Chopra is an inspiration for millions of Indians who want to excel in sports and life. He has shown that nothing is impossible with passion and determination. He has also made India proud by bringing glory to the nation with his golden arm.

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