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While cricket reigns supreme in India, one athlete is shattering the mold and capturing the nation’s heart with his extraordinary talent. Meet Neeraj Chopra, the javelin thrower whose meteoric rise is rewriting India’s sporting narrative.
The Golden Boy Of Indian Athletics
Chopra, the golden boy of Indian athletics, is a far cry from the cricket-obsessed nation he represents. As a child growing up in the rural village of Khandra, Haryana, he was more into cricket and volleyball, sports that, like javelin throwing, benefit from a fast arm. However, it wasn’t until he saw a javelin soaring through the air at a local stadium that his destiny took a dramatic turn.
“I feel that in India, it’s natural, a fast arm,” Chopra told media. “And it’s a basic thing in javelin throwing – if you have a fast arm, you can throw far.”
With over 125 million cricket fans in India, according to Ormax Media, Chopra’s prowess with a javelin has carved out a unique place for him in the hearts of many. Since winning Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021—the first Asian javelin thrower to do so—his star has only risen. His World Championship win in Budapest last year cemented his status as a trailblazer, making him the first Indian to snag a world title in track and field.
Back home, Chopra’s success is nothing short of a national celebration. His Olympic victory on August 7 is now marked as National Javelin Day in India. “So many people from my country, they support me, they watch my competitions,” Chopra shares. “Even if I’m competing in the Diamond League, they stay awake until one or two at night and they watch my competition. It’s really amazing that people support athletics.”
A New Wave
India’s track and field history was almost non-existent before Chopra, who has ignited a new wave of enthusiasm for the sport. Now, as he prepares for the Paris Olympics starting July 26, he’s the country’s biggest sporting icon. Despite the mounting expectations, Chopra remains focused and grounded. “My main focus is to stay healthy,” he says. “I’m not taking the pressure of winning a gold medal again. I’ll just do my training with 100% of my heart and I’ll give my best.”
The 90-meter Mark
From his humble beginnings, training with a steel javelin in his family’s field, to becoming a global sensation, Chopra’s journey is a testament to his dedication and talent. He’s aiming to surpass the 90-meter mark—a feat only achieved by 24 men in history. With his personal best just shy of this distance, it’s less a question of if, but when, he’ll achieve this milestone.
In India, Chopra has become a household name, his image gracing billboards, magazines, and television screens. His impact is so profound that if he clinches another gold in Paris, he’ll be revered almost as a deity. Yet, Chopra remains unruffled by the adulation, using it as fuel to inspire the next generation of athletes.
“When people meet me, they always say, ‘Our son or our daughter will also start javelin or athletics, and they can also win a medal for India,’” Chopra reflects. “This is a good thing for me.”
As the world watches, Neeraj Chopra continues to soar, not just with his javelin, but as a symbol of excellence and inspiration in Indian sports.