Neeraj Chopra Conferred Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army
India’s Olympic hero Neeraj Chopra has been awarded the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, with the appointment officially taking effect from April 16, as published in The Gazette of India.
Chopra, who made history by winning India’s first Olympic gold in track and field at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, further elevated his legacy by securing a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With two Olympic medals to his name, he is now India’s most decorated individual Olympian.
Chopra began his association with the Indian Army in 2016, when he was inducted as a Naib Subedar. Following his gold medal performance in Tokyo, he was promoted to Subedar in 2021.
He now joins the ranks of other Indian sports legends honored by the armed forces. Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra was similarly conferred the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and Vijay Kumar, a silver medallist in shooting at the 2012 Olympics, was awarded the honorary rank of Captain. Cricketing great MS Dhoni was granted the title of Lieutenant Colonel in 2011 for his contributions to Indian cricket, including leading the team to T20 and ODI World Cup victories.
Chopra’s military recognition stands as a tribute to his sporting excellence and dedication to the nation.
