Watch: Neeraj Chopra conferred honorary rank of Lt Colonel in Army

Olympic golden medallist Neeraj Chopra was honoured astatine his pipping ceremonial connected Wednesday, marking his caller relation arsenic Lieutenant Colonel (Honorary) successful the Indian Army. The appointment, arsenic documented successful The Gazette of India, took effect connected April 16.Neeraj Chopra began his subject vocation arsenic a Naib Subedar successful the Indian Army connected August 26, 2016. His exceptional diversion achievements led to his promotion to Subedar successful 2021.The decorated athlete's travel includes receiving the Arjuna Award successful 2018 for his athletics accomplishments, followed by the prestigious Khel Ratna grant successful 2021 for his outstanding contributions to sports.Following his historical golden medal triumph astatine the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Chopra was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal successful 2022, the highest peacetime honour bestowed by the Indian Army.The 27-year-old javelin thrower's accolades continued with his promotion to Subedar Major successful 2022. That aforesaid year, helium was besides awarded the

Padma Shri

, India's fourth-highest civilian honour.In caller competitions, Chopra's show astatine the World Athletics Championships saw him decorativeness eighth with a champion propulsion of 84.03 m, ending his awesome streak of 26 events with top-two finishes.His chap Indian jock Sachin Yadav showed singular signifier astatine the championships, securing 4th spot with a propulsion of 86.27 m, though falling abbreviated of a medal position.