Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and his wife, Himani Mor, here at his residence, 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, on December 23. PM Modi said he had a great interaction with the javelin ace on various issues, including sports, and shared some glimpses of the meeting on social media. “Met Neeraj Chopra and his wife, Himani Mor at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today. We had a great interaction on various issues, including sports, of course!” PM Modi posted on X.
In October this year, Chopra was conferred the gleaming insignia of the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Enlisted in the Indian Army as a junior commissioned officer in the rank of naib subedar on 26 August 2016, Chopra has served with The Rajputana Rifles. The javelin ace made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. He continued his outstanding form by winning gold at the World Athletics Championships in 2023 and a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
In recognition of his outstanding achievements and exemplary service to the nation, Lt Col (Hony) Neeraj Chopra was awarded an honorary commission in the Territorial Army by President Droupadi Murmu on April 16 2025. Earlier, he had been conferred with the Padma Shri, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the Arjuna Award, the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Vishisht Seva Medal. In the 2025 season, Chopra competed in events and won four competitions, including the Paris Diamond League and the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru.
