Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army; Here’s what it means
“…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 Ex-Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, Padma Shri, VSM, Village & Post Office Khandra, Panipat, Haryana with effect from 16 April, 2025,” the notification said.
The 27-year-old ace javelin thrower, hailing from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana, had won the gold medal in 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He bagged a silver medal in 2024 Paris Olympics.
What does it mean?
The Territorial Army (TA), raised on October 9, 1949, completed 75 years last year and has served the nation in times of war, and in humanitarian and environmental protection works through its eventful journey over the decades.
It is fully integrated with the regular Army. In recognition of nation-building efforts and contributions made during war or conflicts, numerous individuals have been honoured with gallantry as well as distinguished service awards in the TA.
Chopra was a Subedar Major in the Indian Army. He was slated to retire this year, it is learnt. Chopra is the reigning world champion, having won gold in the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary. Indian cricketer M S Dhoni was accorded an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in 2011.
Neeraj Chopra next in action when?
Two-time Olympic medallist and Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial 2025 athletics meet, scheduled to take place in Poland on May 23, according to Olympics.com.
Chopra was initially slated to participate in the Neeraj Chopra (NC) Classic, which was scheduled for May 24 in Bengaluru. However, the event was later postponed, allowing him to join the 71st edition of the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial — a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event.
First held in 1954, the Chorzow meet is among the oldest athletics competitions in Poland and Europe to be held continuously.
In Poland, Neeraj will compete against strong contenders, including Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist and two-time World Champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, and former European champion Julian Weber of Germany. A host of top Polish athletes will also be in the fray.
This will be Chopra’s third competition of the season. The 27-year-old opened his season at the Potch Invitational Track meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, last month, where he topped the six-man field with a throw of 84.52m.
His second event of the season will be the Doha Diamond League, scheduled for May 16. Asian Games silver medallist and compatriot Kishore Jena will also compete in the same event.
Neeraj is also scheduled to participate in the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia on June 24.
