National Javelin Day is annually observed on August 7.
Important Days
National Javelin Day is observed every year across India on August 7 to celebrate India's historic moment in athletics when Neeraj Chopra won a gold medal in the javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The day aims to promote the sport nationwide and inspire future athletes.
- The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) declared 7 August as National Javelin Day in 2021 to commemorate Neeraj Chopra's Olympic victory and boost the popularity of javelin throw in India. The decision marked a new step in developing track and field events across the country.
- The first National Javelin Day was observed on 7 August 2022. Since then, the day has been celebrated with awareness campaigns, training sessions, and competitions across schools, colleges, and sports institutions to encourage participation in javelin throw.
- The date holds special significance as on 7 August 2021, Neeraj Chopra made history by winning the Men's javelin throw gold medal with a throw of 87.58 metres at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. He became the first Asian athlete to win Olympic gold in this event and the second Indian individual Olympic gold medalist after shooter Abhinav Bindra in 2008.
Main Point :- (i) Neeraj Chopra, who hails from Haryana, began his international career by winning a silver medal at the Youth Olympics Qualification in Bangkok in 2014. He joined the Indian Army in 2016 as a Naib Subedar in the 4 Rajputana Rifles and later rose to the rank of Subedar after his double gold victories at the 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
(ii) In 2025, Neeraj Chopra set a new national record with a throw of 90.23 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League in Switzerland. He has received several honours, including the Arjuna Award (2018), Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2021), Padma Shri (2022), Vishisht Seva Medal (2020), and Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2022). He also won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 with an 89.34m throw.
(iii) The 4th National Javelin Day will be observed on 7 August 2025, continuing its mission to inspire athletes and honour Neeraj Chopra's contribution to Indian sports. Events nationwide will focus on nurturing young talent and strengthening India's presence in global athletics.
About the Athletics Federation of India (AFI)
President: Bahadur Singh Sagoo
Headquarters: New Delhi
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