Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary Shine at AFI Awards 2025
Neeraj Chopra Receives Prestigious Award
On Saturday, Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic medalist and former world champion in javelin throw, was awarded the title of 'Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025' during the inaugural Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Awards ceremony. The award was presented by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. Neeraj recently kicked off his 2026 season by qualifying for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, achieving the necessary mark at the Doha Diamond League event.
Inspiring Message for Young Athletes
While accepting the award, Neeraj encouraged the youth to remain dedicated and patient in their pursuits. He emphasized that many believe European and American athletes are inherently stronger, but he believes that Indians possess the potential to excel. He advised, "Keep working hard and stay patient. Don’t rush your progress; you have a long career ahead. Protect yourself from injuries, heed your team's advice, and trust in your abilities. We are proving our capabilities, and with faith and patience, remarkable achievements are possible."
Neeraj's Comeback to Competition
Reflecting on his return to competition in Doha, Neeraj stated, "It felt great to compete again after such a long time, and I had a decent throw. There’s still a lot of the year left, and I aim to improve further." In his first event of the 2026 season, he finished fourth at the Doha Diamond League, throwing 85.69 meters. After an eight-month hiatus due to a back injury, he initially fouled on his first attempt but regained his form. Previously, he had placed eighth at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships, where he struggled to defend his title with a best throw of 84.03 meters.
Parul Chaudhary Honored as Best Female Athlete
Parul Chaudhary, an accomplished Indian steeplechase runner, was also recognized as the 'Best Female Athlete of the Year 2025.' Last month, she narrowly missed breaking her own national record in the women's 3000-meter steeplechase at the Shanghai Diamond League 2026. During this high-profile event, she clocked a time of 9:12.84, marking the start of her season, and finished in seventh place. Parul fell just 0.38 seconds short of her national record, which she set during her gold medal performance at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi last year, improving it to 9:12.96. Despite her efforts, the 30-year-old from Uttar Pradesh had to settle for a silver medal.