Laureus Sports Awards: Olympic Gold Medalist Neeraj Chopra Nominated For Breakthrough Of The Year Honour

Neeraj Chopra has been nominated alongside global icons like Daniil Medvedev, Pedri, Emma Raducanu, Yulimar Rojas and Ariarne Titmus.

Neeraj Chopra, Photo: AFP

New Delhi: Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has been nominated for the prestigious 2022 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. The star athlete is one of the six Nominees for the award. Neeraj has been nominated alongside global icons like Daniil Medvedev, Pedri, Emma Raducanu, Yulimar Rojas and Ariarne Titmus. The winners will be revealed in April.

Laureus World Sports Award honours teams or individuals who have made a breakthrough performance in the world of sports. 

Neeraj Chopra, who brought glory to the nation by becoming the first-ever track and field athlete to win the gold medal at the Olympics, is only the third Indian athlete to be nominated for a Laureus Award, after wrestler Vinesh Phogat in 2019 and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who won the Laureus Sporting Moment Award 2000-2020.

A special feeling to be nominated along with some exceptional athletes for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award.

Congratulations to @DaniilMedwed, @pedri, @EmmaRaducanu, @TeamRojas45 and Ariarne Titmus on their nominations. #Laureus22 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/16pUMmvQBE

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) February 2, 2022

Neeraj Chopra did the unthinkable at just 23 years of age after securing a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 - India's first medal in Track and Field event, ever!

In the javelin throw event, Chopra's second throw of 87.58 meters was enough for him to secure a gold medal for his country in Tokyo Olympics 2020, also making him only one of the two Indians to win a gold medal at Olympics, the other being Abhivan Bindra who won the gold medal in air rifles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Last month, Neeraj was honoured with the Param Vashistha Seva Medal on the eve of Republic Day 2022. Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) is a military award of India.