Neeraj Chopra, Parul Chaudhary Honoured at Inaugural Indian Athletics Awards

New Delhi, June 2026: India’s athletics fraternity came together in a grand celebration of excellence as Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and long-distance runner Parul Chaudhary were named the Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete respectively at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards ceremony held in New Delhi on Saturday.

The glittering event, organised by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), recognised the outstanding achievements of athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and institutions that have contributed to the rapid growth of Indian athletics in recent years. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya presented the awards in the presence of several distinguished guests from India and abroad.

Among the dignitaries attending the ceremony were World Athletics Vice President Adille J. Sumariwalla, Sri Lanka Athletics President Korottage Bimal Prasanna, and Maldives Sports Commissioner Mohamed Tholal. The gathering reflected the growing stature of Indian athletics on the international stage.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Mandaviya praised the remarkable progress made by Indian athletes over the past decade. He noted that Indian track and field competitors have consistently delivered world-class performances at major international competitions, bringing global recognition to the country.

He said the Indian Athletics Awards were introduced to honour the dedication, hard work and achievements of athletes and stakeholders who have played a crucial role in elevating the sport. According to him, such recognition would further strengthen the sporting ecosystem and encourage future generations to pursue excellence.

Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic and world champion javelin thrower, expressed gratitude after receiving the Best Male Athlete award. He described the recognition as a special honour and said it reflected the tremendous progress being made by Indian athletics. Chopra noted that new talent continues to emerge every year and compete successfully at the highest levels. He added that the award would motivate him to continue striving for excellence and contribute further to the development of the sport.

Parul Chaudhary, who has established herself as one of India’s leading middle and long-distance runners, said the award was deeply meaningful. She emphasised that athletics demands discipline, patience and perseverance every day and thanked her coaches, support staff and family for their unwavering support. She also expressed hope that her journey would inspire more young women to take up athletics and chase their dreams.

The ceremony also recognised the country’s rising stars. Shahnavaz Khan was named the Best Emerging Male Athlete, while Pooja received the Best Emerging Female Athlete award. Both athletes described the recognition as a major source of encouragement and motivation for their future careers.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards to some of the most iconic names in Indian athletics. Legendary athletes P.T. Usha, Anju Bobby George, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa and Bahadur Singh Chauhan were honoured for their extraordinary contributions to the sport over several decades.

P.T. Usha, often regarded as one of India’s greatest athletes, said athletics had given her everything in life and expressed happiness at witnessing the sport’s remarkable transformation. Anju Bobby George, India’s pioneering long jumper and world championship medallist, said it was heartening to see athletics receiving the recognition it deserves and hoped future generations would continue to dream big and compete with the best in the world.

AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo described the awards as a prestigious platform dedicated to recognising excellence across all areas of athletics. He highlighted the important roles played by athletes, coaches, technical officials and administrators in shaping the sport’s success.

The event also honoured achievements in several other categories, including Best Coach of the Year, Best State Association, Best Technical Official, Best State Supporting Athletics, Organisation Supporting Athletics and Partner Supporting Athletics.

The award winners also received cash prizes. Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary were awarded Rs 10 lakh each, while emerging athletes Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja received Rs 2.5 lakh each. The four Lifetime Achievement Award recipients were presented with Rs 5 lakh each.

The inaugural Indian Athletics Awards marked a significant milestone in recognising excellence and celebrating the individuals who continue to shape the future of Indian athletics.

Major Award Winners

• Best Male Athlete 2025: Neeraj Chopra – Rs 10 lakh
• Best Female Athlete 2025: Parul Chaudhary – Rs 10 lakh
• Best Emerging Male Athlete: Shahnavaz Khan – Rs 2.5 lakh
• Best Emerging Female Athlete: Pooja – Rs 2.5 lakh
• Lifetime Achievement Awards: P.T. Usha, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Anju Bobby George and Bahadur Singh Chauhan – Rs 5 lakh each

Team Maverick.