National Javelin Day is annually observed across India on August 7 to commemorate the remarkable achievement of Neeraj Chopra during the Tokyo Olympics 2020, where he secured the gold medal for India in the javelin throw event.
- 7th August 2025 marks the observance of 4th National Javelin Day.
Exam Hints:
- Event: National Javelin Day 2025
- Date of Observance: 7th August(annually)
- Edition: 4th
- Supporting bodies: Athletics Federation of India (AFI)
- Why? To commemorate Neeraj Chopra’s remarkable achievement during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
- Purpose: to promote the sport of javelin throw and to acknowledge its significance in athletics.
About National Javelin Day 2025:
Origin: In 2021, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) declared 7th August of every year as the National Javelin Day, to promote the sport of javelin throw and to acknowledge its significance in athletics.
First Observance: The 1st National Javelin Day was observed on 7th August 2022.
Date Significance: On 7 August 2021, Neeraj Chopra won the Men’s javelin throw gold medal with a throw of 87.58 metres(m) at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
- He became the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in the Javelin throw and the second Indian Olympic gold medalist
Note: Abhinav Bindra (Shooter) was the first Indian to win an Olympic gold medal at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
About Neeraj Chopra:
Introduction: He is an Indian track athlete and field athlete, and won his first-ever International medal (Silver) in the Youth Olympics Qualification, Bangkok, Thailand, in 2014.
Indian Army profile: He was enrolled as a Junior Commissioned Officer(JCO) in the rank of Naib Subedar in the 4 Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army in 2016.
- In 2018, He was promoted to Subedar after winning gold in the Asian Games 2018 and Commonwealth Games 2018.
Honourary Rank: Later in 2025, He was conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army.
National Record: In 2025, he registered his best throw and a national record (India) at the Lausanne Diamond League in Switzerland with 90.23 m.
Awards: Neeraj Chopra received the Arjuna Award (Athletics) in 2018, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021), and the Padma Shri (Sports) in 2022.
- He also received the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2020 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) in 2022.
Paris Olympics 2024:
Overview: Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal for the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics final with an 89.34m throw at the Stade de France, France.
- Along with Neeraj Chopra, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan won a gold medal for the men’s javelin final with an Olympic record throw of 92.27m at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
About the Athletics Federation of India (AFI):
President– Bahadur Singh Sagoo
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Established– 1946
