Who Was Neeraj Yadav?
Neeraj Yadav was an Indian para-athlete who became known for his achievements in javelin throw and discus throw. He represented India in international para-athletics competitions and won three gold medals at the Asian Para Games during his career. His journey from childhood disability to international sporting success made him a notable figure in Indian para-sports.
Born on 10 February 1984 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Neeraj was diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis at the age of seven. Despite the challenges associated with his disability, he continued to pursue his interest in sports. He initially competed in wheelchair tennis before moving into para-athletics.
Neeraj achieved his first major international breakthrough at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Competing in the men’s F55 javelin throw, he won a gold medal with an Asian-record performance of 29.84 metres. He later won two more gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023, in javelin and discus throw.
However, his career was later affected by an anti-doping case that resulted in a four-year suspension. The proceedings also led to the loss of his two gold medals from the 2023 Asian Para Games, according to published reports.
Neeraj also worked to remain connected with sports outside international competition. He reportedly operated Anshneer Sports Academy in Sonipat, Haryana, helping him maintain a connection with the sporting community.
In late October 2026, Neeraj was found unconscious beside his vehicle near Maujpur Metro Station in northeast Delhi. He was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead. Police began investigating the circumstances of his death. Although some reports described the case as a suspected suicide, a relative disputed that explanation and called for a thorough investigation. The circumstances remained under investigation as of 29 October 2026.
His life included remarkable sporting achievements, difficult personal and professional challenges, and a tragic ending that shocked the Indian para-sports community.
Neeraj Yadav Quick Information
| Particular | Details |
| Full name | Neeraj Yadav |
| Date of birth | 10 February 1984 |
| Age at death | 42 years |
| Birthplace | Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Para-athlete |
| Sports | Para-athletics and wheelchair tennis |
| Main events | Javelin throw, discus throw, shot put |
| Classification | F55 |
| Famous achievement | Three Asian Para Games gold medals won during his career |
| Major record | Asian record of 29.84 metres in F55 javelin at the 2018 Asian Para Games |
| Wife | Shobha Yadav, according to published reports |
| Children | Reportedly had a daughter |
| Sports academy | Anshneer Sports Academy, Sonipat |
| Doping controversy | Four-year suspension following a positive test for a prohibited substance |
| Date of death | Found unconscious on 27 October 2026; declared dead at hospital around midnight |
| Cause of death | Under investigation; circumstances not conclusively established |
| Net worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Neeraj Yadav Early Life
Neeraj Yadav was born on 10 February 1984 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. He grew up in India and developed an interest in sports despite facing significant health challenges during childhood.
According to published reports, Neeraj was diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis when he was seven years old. The condition affected his physical mobility and changed the course of his life.
Living with a disability can create additional challenges for a young person who wants to participate in competitive sports. Neeraj nevertheless continued to pursue sporting opportunities and eventually found a path into para-sports.
His father was reportedly a wrestler and volleyball player. Growing up with a family connection to sports may have helped Neeraj develop an interest in physical activity and competition.
Rather than allowing his disability to end his sporting ambitions, he explored wheelchair tennis. The sport gave him an opportunity to compete, improve his skills, and become familiar with the discipline required for professional athletics.
His early journey was not easy. Reports indicate that financial difficulties affected his sporting career at different stages. Even so, he continued looking for ways to remain involved in competitive sport.
His transition from wheelchair tennis to para-athletics eventually became one of the most important decisions of his sporting life.
Neeraj Yadav Education
Detailed information about Neeraj Yadav’s school, college, and academic qualifications is limited in publicly available reporting.
His biography is primarily documented through his achievements in para-sports, his childhood disability, and his transition from wheelchair tennis to athletics.
Professional sport requires discipline, training, and the ability to manage demanding schedules. Neeraj spent years developing his competitive abilities before achieving international success.
There is not enough reliably confirmed information to identify a particular school or university as his educational institution. Such details should not be added without a trustworthy source.
Neeraj Yadav Family
Neeraj Yadav’s family played an important part in his personal life. Although he became known through international sports, he generally remained better known publicly for his athletic achievements than for sharing extensive details about his relatives.
Father
Published reports state that Neeraj’s father was a wrestler and volleyball player. This family connection to sport is an important part of the background reported about Neeraj’s early life.
However, detailed information about his father’s name and professional history is not consistently available in reliable public sources.
Wife: Shobha Yadav
Neeraj was married to Shobha Yadav, according to published biographical reports. Some accounts describe her as a source of encouragement during periods when he faced financial difficulties and struggled to continue his sporting career.
His wife and family remained largely outside the public spotlight during his professional life.
Daughter
Reports published after his death stated that Neeraj was survived by his wife and their young daughter, who was reportedly three years old in October 2026.
His death was therefore not only a loss for Indian para-sports but also a personal tragedy for his family.
Family’s Response to His Death
After Neeraj was found unconscious in Delhi, a relative publicly questioned the initial suggestion that his death was a suicide. The relative called for the circumstances to be investigated carefully.
This distinction is important because the police investigation had not established a definitive explanation at the time of the latest reports.
The family’s concerns should be understood as part of the ongoing inquiry, rather than as proof of any particular account of what happened.
Neeraj Yadav Career Journey
Beginning with Wheelchair Tennis
Neeraj initially pursued wheelchair tennis, a competitive sport adapted for athletes with physical disabilities.
Published reports state that he played wheelchair tennis from approximately 2005 to 2012. This period gave him experience in competition and helped him remain active in sports despite the challenges associated with his disability.
However, his early sporting journey was affected by financial difficulties. Maintaining a competitive sports career can require substantial resources for equipment, travel, training, and participation in tournaments.
Neeraj eventually explored a different sporting path that would lead him towards international recognition.
Transition to Para-Athletics
Around 2015, Neeraj shifted his focus to para-athletics, especially throwing events.
He competed in the F55 classification, which covers athletes with particular impairments affecting trunk and lower-body function who compete in seated field events.
Javelin throw, discus throw, and shot put require strength, balance, coordination, and technical skill. Athletes must develop the ability to generate power while maintaining control and stability during their throwing movements.
Neeraj began making an impression in domestic competitions. Reports state that he won gold medals in shot put, javelin, and discus at the 2015 Delhi State Athletics Meet.
These results helped establish him as a promising para-athlete and created opportunities to compete at a higher level.
International Competition and Early Success
Neeraj continued participating in international para-athletics events.
In 2016, he reportedly won silver medals in shot put and discus at the Fazza Grand Prix. These performances added to his experience and helped him prepare for larger competitions.
His progress demonstrated that the transition from wheelchair tennis to para-athletics had opened a new opportunity for him.
He gradually developed into a specialist in throwing events, particularly javelin and discus, where he would later achieve his most important international results.
Historic Gold at the 2018 Asian Para Games
The 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, marked a major turning point in Neeraj’s career.
He competed in the men’s F55 javelin throw and won the gold medal with a throw of 29.84 metres. Reports identified the performance as an Asian record at the time.
The result brought him recognition as one of India’s successful para-athletes and established his name in international para-athletics.
Winning a major international gold medal requires years of preparation, consistent training, and the ability to perform under pressure. Neeraj’s performance was an important achievement for both his personal career and Indian para-sports.
Two More Gold Medals at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games
Neeraj achieved further success at the Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China, in October 2023. Although the event was officially called the 2022 Asian Para Games, it was postponed and held in 2023.
He won gold medals in men’s F55 javelin throw and the discus event for the relevant seated throwing classification.
These victories brought his total to three Asian Para Games gold medals across the 2018 and Hangzhou editions.
For a period, these results represented the peak of his international career. His success made him a recognised name in Indian para-athletics.
Running a Sports Academy
Neeraj also reportedly operated Anshneer Sports Academy in Sonipat, Haryana.
The academy gave him a connection to sports beyond his own competitive career. Running a sports academy can involve training activities, online coaching, and helping people develop their sporting skills.
Detailed information about the academy’s size, number of students, and financial performance is not publicly confirmed. Nevertheless, reports about his work at the academy show that he continued to be associated with sports outside major international competitions.
Doping Case and Career Suspension
Neeraj’s career later faced a serious setback.
According to reports, a sample collected during an out-of-competition test in Bengaluru in October 2023 tested positive for stanozolol, a prohibited anabolic steroid. The National Anti-Doping Agency initiated proceedings and issued a provisional suspension.
The case resulted in a four-year period of ineligibility beginning on 7 November 2023, according to the official sanctions list published by NADA.
Reports also stated that Neeraj sought DNA testing of the sample during the anti-doping proceedings. His suspension affected his ability to participate in major competitions.
The Asian Paralympic Committee subsequently stripped him of the two gold medals he had won at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, according to published reports. His 2018 Asian Para Games javelin gold was not the same result affected by those later proceedings.
The suspension prevented him from competing at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
It is important to distinguish the documented anti-doping decision from assumptions about its personal impact. Reports discussed the sporting and financial consequences of the suspension, but no confirmed evidence established that the case caused his death.
Neeraj Yadav Major Work and Achievements
Neeraj’s career included significant success at domestic and international competitions before the later anti-doping case affected his record.
| Year | Competition or development | Achievement |
| 2005–2012 | Wheelchair tennis | Competed in wheelchair tennis |
| 2015 | Delhi State Athletics Meet | Reportedly won gold in shot put, javelin, and discus |
| 2016 | Fazza Grand Prix | Reportedly won silver medals in shot put and discus |
| 2018 | Asian Para Games, Jakarta | Won gold in men’s F55 javelin throw |
| 2018 | Asian Para Games | Recorded a reported Asian-record throw of 29.84 metres |
| 2022 | Para Athletics Grand Prix, Marrakech | Reportedly won gold and set an Indian national record |
| 2023 | Asian Para Games, Hangzhou | Won gold in javelin and discus |
| 2023–2024 | Anti-doping proceedings | Received a four-year suspension |
| 2023 | Hangzhou Asian Para Games results | Two gold medals subsequently revoked, according to reports |
| 2026 | Asian Para Games, Aichi-Nagoya | Ineligible to compete during suspension |
His career is remembered for his transition into para-athletics, his 2018 international breakthrough, and the two further gold medals he initially won in Hangzhou.
Neeraj Yadav Relationships and Marriage
Neeraj Yadav was married to Shobha Yadav, according to published reports. Some biographical accounts state that he married in 2018.
His wife reportedly encouraged him during difficult periods, including financial challenges that affected his sporting career.
The couple had a young daughter, according to reports published after his death.
Neeraj generally kept his family life private. There is limited verified information about his wedding ceremony, relationship history, or everyday family routine.
Reports about a woman who was with him shortly before he was found unconscious became part of the police inquiry into his death. The woman reportedly told police that she had known him since December 2025 and had met him on 27 October 2026.
These details were reported as part of the investigation. They should not be used to assign blame or draw conclusions about the cause of his death. His family also called for the circumstances to be examined carefully.
Neeraj Yadav Lifestyle and Personal Life
Neeraj’s life was closely connected to sports. He continued pursuing competitive opportunities after being diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis as a child.
His shift from wheelchair tennis to para-athletics demonstrated his willingness to explore a different sport when his original path did not continue as planned.
He also maintained a connection with athletics through Anshneer Sports Academy in Sonipat, Haryana. This work reportedly allowed him to remain involved in the sporting community outside international competitions.
His professional life later became complicated by the anti-doping case and suspension. The decision meant he could not participate in the 2026 Asian Para Games, and his two Hangzhou gold medals were revoked according to reports.
However, the personal consequences of these events should not be assumed beyond what has been reliably documented.
In late October 2026, Neeraj’s death became a major news story. Police began an inquiry after he was found unconscious beside his vehicle near Maujpur Metro Station. His family questioned the initial suggestion of suicide, and the circumstances remained under investigation as of 29 October 2026.
Neeraj Yadav Social Media
Neeraj was primarily known for his sporting achievements rather than a widely documented public social media presence.
| Platform | Information |
| No verified official profile confirmed here | |
| No verified official profile confirmed here | |
| X | No verified official profile confirmed here |
| Sports academy | Anshneer Sports Academy, Sonipat |
| Public recognition | Asian Para Games performances and para-athletics coverage |
Readers should verify any social media account claiming to represent Neeraj or his academy before relying on it. His official social media handles have not been consistently confirmed in reliable sources.
Neeraj Yadav Net Worth
Neeraj Yadav’s exact net worth was not publicly disclosed.
As a para-athlete, his potential sources of income could have included sporting awards, competition-related earnings, coaching, and his reported work with Anshneer Sports Academy.
However, there is no reliable public financial record establishing the total value of his assets, property, savings, or income.
| Financial detail | Information |
| Net worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Main professional activity | Para-athletics |
| Other reported work | Sports academy |
| Prize money and awards | Exact total not publicly confirmed |
| Property and investments | Not publicly confirmed |
| Annual income | Not publicly disclosed |
It would be misleading to provide an exact net-worth estimate without reliable evidence. His sporting achievements are better documented than his personal finances.
Neeraj Yadav Physical Appearance
Reliable public reporting focuses mainly on Neeraj’s disability classification and athletic career. Exact physical measurements are not consistently documented.
| Physical detail | Information |
| Height | Not reliably confirmed |
| Weight | Not reliably confirmed |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Sporting classification | F55 |
| Disability | Post-polio residual paralysis, according to published reports |
| Main sporting events | Javelin, discus, and shot put |
The F55 classification relates to the functional requirements of seated field events. It should not be confused with a complete description of an athlete’s individual medical history.
Interesting Facts About Neeraj Yadav
- Neeraj Yadav was born on 10 February 1984 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
- He was diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis at the age of seven, according to published reports.
- He initially competed in wheelchair tennis before moving into para-athletics.
- He reportedly played wheelchair tennis from 2005 to 2012.
- He began focusing on para-athletics around 2015.
- His main throwing events included javelin, discus, and shot put.
- He competed in the F55 classification.
- He won gold in men’s F55 javelin at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta.
- His 2018 javelin throw of 29.84 metres was reported as an Asian record at the time.
- He won two more gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games, held in 2023.
- His total of three Asian Para Games gold medals was later affected by anti-doping proceedings.
- He received a four-year suspension after a sample tested positive for stanozolol, according to official and published records.
- He reportedly sought DNA testing during the anti-doping proceedings.
- He was unable to compete at the 2026 Asian Para Games because of the suspension.
- He reportedly ran Anshneer Sports Academy in Sonipat, Haryana.
- He was married to Shobha Yadav and had a young daughter, according to published reports.
- His family questioned the initial suggestion of suicide after his death.
- Police were investigating the circumstances of his death as of 29 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who was Neeraj Yadav?
Neeraj Yadav was an Indian para-athlete who competed in javelin throw, discus throw, and shot put. He became known for winning three Asian Para Games gold medals during his career.
Q2. How old was Neeraj Yadav when he died?
Neeraj was 42 years old. He was born on 10 February 1984 and was found unconscious near Maujpur Metro Station in Delhi in late October 2026.
Q3. Who was Neeraj Yadav’s wife?
His wife was identified as Shobha Yadav in published reports. They reportedly had a young daughter.
Q4. What disability did Neeraj Yadav have?
Reports state that Neeraj was diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis at the age of seven. He later competed in para-athletics in the F55 classification.
Q5. How many Asian Para Games gold medals did Neeraj Yadav win?
He won three gold medals during his career: one in men’s F55 javelin at the 2018 Asian Para Games and two in javelin and discus at the Hangzhou edition in 2023. Reports later stated that the two Hangzhou medals were revoked following anti-doping proceedings.
Q6. Why was Neeraj Yadav banned from sports?
According to the National Anti-Doping Agency’s sanctions list and published reports, a sample collected in October 2023 tested positive for stanozolol, a prohibited substance. He received a four-year period of ineligibility beginning on 7 November 2023.
Q7. What was Neeraj Yadav’s net worth?
His exact net worth was not publicly disclosed. He competed professionally in para-athletics and reportedly operated Anshneer Sports Academy in Sonipat.
Q8. What happened to Neeraj Yadav in October 2026?
Neeraj was found unconscious beside his vehicle near Maujpur Metro Station in northeast Delhi on 27 October 2026 and was taken to hospital, where he was declared dead. Some reports described the case as a suspected suicide, but a relative disputed that explanation and called for an investigation. The circumstances remained under investigation as of 29 October 2026.
Read more biographies and success stories of business leaders, celebrities, healthcare professionals, etc. at Leader Biography.
