Chopra and Chaudhary Secure Top Honours at Inaugural Indian Athletics Awards

New Delhi hosted the first Indian Athletics Awards on Saturday, celebrating top track and field talent with significant financial rewards. Javelin star Neeraj Chopra and steeplechase runner Parul Chaudhary secured the premier male and female athlete titles for their exceptional 2025 performances.

New Delhi became the epicenter of Indian sports as long-distance runner Parul Chaudhary stated that her first accolade from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) delivers massive inspiration for upcoming global tournaments.

Speaking to reporters after securing the Best Athlete (Female) title at the debut Indian Athletics Awards, Chaudhary highlighted the deep value this recognition brings to her professional journey.

The elite runner expressed immense satisfaction, noting that the federation’s recognition offers powerful motivation. She emphasized that the honor will drive her to secure strong results in upcoming international assignments.

Chaudhary confirmed that her current training regimen is progressing optimally. She expressed high confidence ahead of major upcoming multi-sport events, specifically targeting the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Focusing heavily on maintaining peak physical condition, Chaudhary aims to elevate her performances globally. The standout steeplechaser officially received the ‘Best Female Athlete of the Year 2025’ trophy during the gala.

The accolade follows her recent performance at the Shanghai Diamond League 2026, where she finished seventh with a time of 9:12.84. This race narrowly missed resetting her own national mark.

Chaudhary’s timing fell a mere 0.38 seconds short of her lifetime best. That national record was established during her gold-winning performance at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, clocking 9:12.96 for silver.

Concurrently, double Olympic medalist and former world champion Neeraj Chopra secured the ‘Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025’ award at the same inaugural AFI event on Saturday evening.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented the trophy to Chopra. The javelin superstar commenced his 2026 competitive season by sealing a Commonwealth Games berth after breaching the qualification threshold at the Doha Diamond League.

Neeraj Chopra and Parul Chaudhary lead top honours

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya distributed the prizes at the star-studded ceremony. The event drew senior sports administrators, regional athletic heads from Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and World Athletics Vice President Adille J. Sumariwalla.

Mandaviya praised the decade-long growth of domestic athletics, noting that Indian competitors now regularly achieve world-class results. He stated these awards solidify the sporting foundation and incentivize grassroots development.

For Chopra, this latest recognition adds another prestigious milestone to his historic career. The financial rewards also saw emerging stars Shahnavaz Khan and Pooja take home ₹2.50 lakh alongside their breakthrough titles.

The federation further celebrated historic excellence by handing out Lifetime Achievement Awards valued at ₹5 lakh each. Legendary pioneers Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, Bahadur Singh Chauhan, P T Usha, and Anju Bobby George were formally decorated.

AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo called the event a vital platform to honor stakeholders, including coaches and technical officials. The evening concluded by honoring supporting state associations and corporate partners driving the ecosystem.

Future Outlook

The launch of the Indian Athletics Awards establishes a formalized structure to incentivize track and field athletes ahead of major international assignments. With substantial cash payouts and institutional backing, the AFI aims to sustain India’s upward trajectory at global competitions. The immediate focus shifts to the 2026 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, where top winners like Chopra and Chaudhary seek to validate their top-tier billing on the world stage.

FAQs

Who won the main honors at the inaugural Indian Athletics Awards?

Neeraj Chopra was named the Best Male Athlete of the Year 2025, while Parul Chaudhary secured the Best Female Athlete of the Year 2025 title.

What were the prize money amounts distributed at the ceremony?

The primary athlete winners received ₹10 lakh each. The emerging athlete winners were awarded ₹2.50 lakh each, and the Lifetime Achievement recipients received ₹5 lakh each.

Who received the Lifetime Achievement Awards?

Indian track and field legends P T Usha, Anju Bobby George, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, and Bahadur Singh Chauhan were honored for their historic contributions.

Which athletes won the emerging player categories?

Shahnavaz Khan was named the Best Emerging Male Athlete of 2025, while Pooja secured the Best Emerging Female Athlete of 2025 award.