India’s athletics scene is witnessing a remarkable surge, and the spotlight now shines brightly on Shivam Lohakare, the 20-year-old javelin prodigy who has just rewritten the record books. At the 74th Inter Services Athletics Championship 2025 held in Rajgir, Lohakare delivered a sensational throw of 84.31 meters, surpassing the Services record previously held by none other than Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra.
Neeraj Chopra’s Services record of 83.80m, set in 2018, stood for several years as a benchmark of excellence. Lohakare’s recent performance not only dethrones his idol but also signals the arrival of a new generation in Indian javelin. While the feat won’t receive official recognition by World Athletics due to the event’s non-certified status, the athletic community has taken note of this extraordinary achievement. Lohakare’s rise is no flash in the pan. In 2025 alone, he has repeatedly crossed the 80-meter barrier, with notable performances at key national and international meets. Prior to Rajgir, he achieved a personal best of 80.95m at the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Pune and secured a silver medal at the Indian Open in Bhubaneswar, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event, where he registered 80.73m in his first senior international appearance.
The landscape of Indian javelin throwing is evolving rapidly. Once an elusive milestone, an 80-meter throw has now been crossed by 16 Indian athletes, half of them achieving the feat in just the past three years. At age 20, Lohakare is the second-youngest Indian to breach this barrier, trailing only Chopra, who first broke 80 meters at age 18 before achieving Olympic glory in Tokyo 2020. Neeraj Chopra himself has lauded Lohakare’s performance, acknowledging the budding talent as a testament to the growing depth and potential of Indian athletics on the global stage. This breakthrough not only highlights the emerging competitiveness in the sport but also serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across the nation.
Shivam Lohakare’s record-breaking achievement is not just a personal milestone; it reflects a broader transformation in Indian athletics. For decades, the javelin throw remained a niche event in India, with few athletes crossing the critical 80-meter mark. Neeraj Chopra’s rise to global prominence, culminating in an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, appeared for a time as a singular achievement—a lone beacon of Indian excellence in field events. However, Lohakare’s performance signals a decisive shift in that narrative.
At just 20 years old, Lohakare’s 84.31-meter throw demonstrates not only immense individual talent but also the increasing depth and competitiveness within the Indian athletics ecosystem. His consistent form throughout 2025, marked by multiple 80m-plus throws and a podium finish at a World Athletics Continental Tour event, suggests that this is no isolated feat. Rather, it is indicative of a new generation of Indian javelin throwers rising to the occasion, fuelled by better infrastructure, improved coaching, and growing international exposure. Importantly, Lohakare’s breakthrough underscores the changing mindset around athletics in India. No longer do young athletes look at Neeraj Chopra as the solitary standard-bearer. Instead, Chopra himself has become a source of inspiration for aspirants, with Lohakare now emerging as a role model in his own right. This generational handover symbolizes the beginning of a more competitive era, where multiple athletes are poised to challenge regional and global benchmarks.
Yet, Lohakare’s success also raises critical questions about systemic support. His record, though phenomenal, won’t count for official World Athletics recognition due to the non-certified status of the event. This points to the urgent need for more structured and globally certified competitions within India, enabling athletes to achieve internationally recognized marks on home soil. Without such frameworks, talent like Lohakare’s may remain under-acknowledged in official global rankings, stalling its potential impact. Looking ahead, Shivam Lohakare stands at a crossroads. With youth, determination, and proven ability, the pathway to becoming India’s next international javelin sensation is clear—but not without challenges. Consistent participation in certified meets, access to world-class coaching, scientific training methodologies, and sustained institutional support will be key in translating this early promise into long-term success. Shivam Lohakare’s rise is more than a record-breaking throw; it is a reflection of India’s evolving sporting landscape. His achievement, applauded by Neeraj Chopra himself, marks a new chapter in the country’s athletics story—one driven by emerging talent, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Shivam Lohakare Breaks Neeraj Chopra’s Services Javelin Record A New Star Rises in Indian Athletics, as India continues to nurture its young athletes, Lohakare’s name will surely stand as a symbol of the country’s growing stature in global athletics.