India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was honoured with the Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025 award at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards ceremony on Saturday, adding another milestone to his glittering career.
The event, organised by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), celebrated the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials and stakeholders who have contributed significantly to the growth of Indian athletics.
Neeraj Chopra Delighted To Receive Prestigious Honour
Chopra, who scripted history by winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics before securing a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, said the recognition was particularly meaningful because it came in the presence of athletes from different generations.
“This award is very close to my heart. The old and new generation of athletes are here. I am very happy to have received the award in front of them,” Chopra said after receiving the honour.
The 28-year-old arrived in India from Doha earlier in the day to attend the ceremony, highlighting the importance he attached to the occasion.
Award Comes After Return From Injury
The recognition comes at a significant moment in Chopra’s career as he continues his comeback from a back injury that affected him during the latter part of the 2025 season.
The Indian javelin ace competed at the Doha Diamond League on Friday night, marking his first major international appearance of the season.
Chopra registered a best throw of 85.69 metres in his third attempt and finished fourth in the competition. While he narrowly missed a podium finish, the performance represented a positive step in his return to competitive action.
Road To Recovery After World Championships Setback
Chopra has been working his way back to full fitness after sustaining a back injury ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September 2025.
The injury affected his campaign and contributed to an eighth-place finish at the World Championships, one of the rare occasions when the Olympic champion finished outside the medal positions.
Since then, Chopra has focused extensively on rehabilitation and recovery.
He underwent a rehabilitation programme in Turkiye before shifting his training base to Switzerland on May 25, where he has been preparing for the remainder of the season and major upcoming competitions.
Commonwealth Games Qualification Secured
Despite still working towards peak fitness, Chopra comfortably achieved the Athletics Federation of India’s qualification standard for the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
His throw of 85.69 metres in Doha comfortably surpassed the AFI qualification mark of 82.61 metres, ensuring his place among India’s leading medal prospects for the event.
The result has boosted confidence that Chopra is gradually regaining the form that made him one of the world’s most dominant javelin throwers.
Parul Chaudhary Wins Best Female Athlete Award
The Best Female Athlete of the Year award was presented to middle-distance runner Parul Chaudhary.
Parul, who holds the national record in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, has emerged as one of India’s most consistent performers on the international athletics circuit in recent years.
Her achievements and record-breaking performances earned her recognition as the country’s top female athlete for 2025.
P T Usha Honoured With Lifetime Achievement Award
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary sprinter and Indian Olympic Association president P T Usha.
Widely regarded as one of India’s greatest athletes, Usha’s contributions to Indian athletics both on and off the track have inspired generations of sportspersons.
The honour recognised her enduring impact on Indian sport and her continued role in promoting athletics across the country.
AFI Launches Indian Athletics Awards
The Indian Athletics Awards were launched by the Athletics Federation of India to recognise excellence across various aspects of the sport.
The inaugural edition featured 10 award categories, covering athletes, coaches, technical officials, mentors, state associations and other contributors to Indian athletics.
Key categories included:
- Best Male Athlete of the Year
- Best Female Athlete of the Year
- Best Coach
- Best Technical Official
- Best State Association
- Lifetime Achievement Award
The initiative is expected to become an annual event aimed at celebrating achievements and encouraging greater participation and excellence in athletics.
A New Chapter For Indian Athletics
With Indian athletics enjoying unprecedented success on the global stage, the launch of the awards marks another step towards recognising the efforts of individuals who have helped elevate the sport.
For Neeraj Chopra, the evening served as both a celebration of past achievements and a reminder of the expectations that continue to accompany one of India’s most decorated athletes as he prepares for the next phase of his comeback journey.