Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra nominated for 2022 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award

Indian Olympic gold-medalist Neeraj Chopra was on Wednesday nominated as one of the six nominees for the 2022 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. Neeraj Chopra is the third Indian athlete to be nominated in the award’s two decade long run. 

Other nominees of the award includes Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus, Venezuelan athlete Yulimar Rojas, Barcelona footballer Pedri, British tennis player Emma Raducanu, and Australian Open 2022 runner-up Daniil Medvedev. 

The Indian Olympic gold-medalist took to social media to express his gratitude. “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,” Neeraj said in a tweet.

Within just two hours, the tweet has garnered more than 2,900 likes and several retweets. 

Also Read: Sports in 2021: Top athletes who made headline this year

One user wrote, “congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 ji for your nomination. And waiting for your winning #Laureus22 World Breakthrough Of The Year Award moment.”

Another user added, “hearty congratulations, keep the focus on @Neeraj_chopra1 get more laurels for India.”

The 24-year-old athlete rose to prominence after bagging a gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Chopra scored a Javelin Throw of 87.58 m in his second attempt.

Also Read: From Gabba Test to Olympic gold: India’s top 10 sporting moments of 2021

Since then, the gold medalist has amassed a massive fan following on social media platforms. 

Only two other Indian athletes have been nominated for the Laureus Award, including wrestler Vinesh Phogat in the year 2019 and cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar won the Laureus Sporting Moment Award in 2020.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra, Lovlina Borgohain among 11 named for Khel Ratna Award

The awards have several categories including Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award, Laureus World Team of the Year Award, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award, Laureus World Comeback of the Year award, Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award, Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award, and Laureus Sport for Good Award.