Neeraj Chopra And Parul Chaudhary Lead Winners At The Inaugural Indian Athletics Awards 2025

Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary headlined the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards in New Delhi on Saturday (June 20) evening, taking home the Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete honours for the 2025 season. The awards, instituted by the Athletics Federation of India, marked a formal attempt to recognise performances, coaching, administration and long-term service within the country’s athletics ecosystem.

Chopra and Parul received cash awards of Rs 10 lakh each, while Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja were named the Best Emerging Male and Female Athletes respectively. The two emerging athletes were awarded Rs 2.5 lakh each. The ceremony also honoured four major figures from Indian track and field with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary lead top honours

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya presented the awards at the event, which was attended by senior athletics officials and former Indian stars. World Athletics Vice President Adille J. Sumariwalla was among the dignitaries present, along with representatives from Sri Lanka and Maldives athletics bodies.

Dr Mandaviya said Indian athletics had made strong progress over the past decade, with athletes producing world-class results on major stages. He said the awards were a tribute to the individuals and institutions contributing to that rise, and added that such recognition could further strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem.

For Chopra, the award adds another national honour to a career that has transformed the profile of Indian athletics. The Olympic and world champion javelin thrower has remained the sport’s most recognisable Indian face, carrying medal expectations at almost every international competition since his breakthrough at the Tokyo Olympics.

Chopra said it was a special honour to be recognised alongside many outstanding athletes from India. “Indian athletics is progressing rapidly and every year we are seeing new talent emerge and perform on the global stage. This award motivates me to strive for excellence and contribute to the sport,” he said.

Parul’s recognition underlined the growing strength of Indian women in endurance events. The long-distance runner has been one of India’s most consistent performers in recent years, particularly in the steeplechase and longer track events. Her rise has also broadened attention beyond the traditional sprint, jump and throw narratives in Indian athletics.

“Athletics is a sport that demands patience, discipline and perseverance every single day. I am grateful to my coaches, support staff and family for their constant support. I hope my journey encourages more young girls to take up athletics and pursue their dreams,” Parul said after receiving the honour.

Emerging athletes get national platform

The awards also gave prominence to younger athletes trying to break through at the national and international level. Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja were recognised as the best emerging athletes of the 2025 season, a category designed to spotlight the next layer of Indian athletics talent.

Shahnavaz said the award was a proud moment and a major source of motivation. “It encourages me to work harder and continue improving as an athlete. I am grateful to my coaches, family and everyone who has supported me on this journey,” he said.

Pooja said the national recognition had given her confidence to aim higher. “Being acknowledged at a national platform like this is very encouraging. I will continue working hard to make the country proud in the years ahead,” she said.

The emerging athlete awards are significant because India’s athletics pipeline has widened in recent years. More young athletes are now entering national camps with stronger competition exposure, better support systems and clearer pathways to continental and global events. Recognition at this stage can help athletes attract attention, backing and belief early in their careers.

Lifetime honours for Indian athletics icons

The evening also celebrated athletes whose achievements helped shape Indian track and field across generations. P T Usha, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Anju Bobby George and Bahadur Singh Chauhan received Lifetime Achievement Awards, along with cash prizes of Rs 5 lakh each.

Usha, one of India’s most influential track athletes, said she felt deeply humbled by the honour. “Athletics has given me everything in life. Over the years, I have witnessed the tremendous evolution of Indian Athletics, and I am delighted to see young athletes achieving success at the highest levels,” she said.

Anju Bobby George, India’s first World Championships medallist in athletics, said the sport had come a long way. “It is heartening to see the sport receiving the attention it deserves. I accept this honour on behalf of everyone who has contributed to my journey. I hope the next generation continues to dream big. I believe our athletes can compete with the world’s best,” she said.

The presence of former stars such as Sriram Singh, Charles Borromeo, Chand Ram and Kamaljit Sandhu added historical depth to the ceremony. Their achievements came in an era when Indian athletes competed with fewer facilities, limited exposure and a far smaller support network than today’s elite athletes receive.

AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo said the awards were meant to recognise every part of the athletics structure. “From athletes and coaches to technical officials, every stakeholder plays a vital role in our journey. These awards will serve as a prestigious honour in Indian athletics,” he said.

AFI also presented awards in categories such as Best Coach of the Year, Best State Association of the Year, Best Technical Official of the Year, Best State Supporting Athletics, Organisation Supporting Athletics and Partner Supporting Athletics. By widening the scope beyond medal winners, the federation signalled that athlete success depends on coaching, administration, officiating and institutional support working together.

The first edition of the Indian Athletics Awards arrived at a time when the sport has greater public visibility in India than at any point in recent memory. With Chopra and Parul leading the 2025 honours, and past champions sharing the stage with emerging athletes, the ceremony reflected both the depth of Indian athletics history and the expectations now attached to its future.