From a small village in Haryana to the Olympics stage: How Neeraj Chopra's uncles, household lead him to success – Occasions of India

Among the best Indian athletes right now, Neeraj Chopra received his second successive Olympic medal on August 9, 2024. Neeraj Chopra, who received a gold medal on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, received a silver medal this time on the 2024 Paris Olympics. Whereas Neeraj missed out on defending his gold medal on the Paris Olympics this time by touchdown behind Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan, nonetheless he’s an inspiration to over a billion Indians by profitable two successive Olympic medals.

However, simply as Rome was not inbuilt a day, it was Neeraj Chopra’s years of laborious work, dedication and the immense assist of his uncles and household that finally lead him to success. Meet Neeraj Chopra’s pillar of power, his household right here:
From a small village in Haryana to the Olympics stage

Neeraj Chopra, the eldest grandson of the Chopra household, was born on December 24, 1997, to Satish Chopra and Saroj Devi in Khandra village of Panipat district in Haryana. Born right into a household of farmers, Neeraj spent his carefree childhood days in a joint household of 19 members which included his three uncles– Surinder, Bhim and Sultan. Because the eldest grandson, Neeraj was a much-pampered baby who was fairly obese. And it was his well being, which was a serious concern for his father and uncles that prompted them to enroll him at a close-by gymnasium. It was his uncle Surinder Chopra who took a younger Neeraj to a neighborhood gymnasium with the easy intention of getting him match. Nevertheless, when the gymnasium shut down his household determined to take him to Shivaji Stadium in Panipat to work out. Quickly, Neeraj too began having fun with figuring out and it was there when he was first launched to javelin throw– a sport that modified his life endlessly.
Recalling Neeraj’s childhood days of their joint-family set-up and the way he developed an curiosity in sports activities early on in life due to his uncles, makes them very proud. Speaking about it, Neeraj’s uncle Bhim Chopra- who performed a key function in Neeraj’s life– informed The Week again in 2022, “We would not have a sporting background, we’re farmers… He was the eldest grandson within the household and was pampered quite a bit. He placed on weight as a toddler. My youthful brother Surinder took him to a neighborhood gymnasium, but it surely shut down quickly after. We then determined to take him to the Panipat stadium. The concept was to give attention to his health and he quickly began having fun with the exercises. It was there that he met Jaiveer, who launched Neeraj to javelin.”

Highlighting this turning level in Neeraj’s life, creator Tanushree Podder writes in her new e-book ‘Golden Sportspersons’, ‘It was the yr 2010, and the 13-year-old Neeraj had no coaching in javelin throw. But, he hurled the javelin to a distance of 40 metres. His throw impressed Jaiveer, and the javelin thrower took the boy below his wing. However Jaiveer quickly left for Jalandhar, and Neeraj’s observe got here to a halt. By now, he was severe about his coaching. So, at 14, Neeraj moved to Panchkula, the place he practiced on an artificial observe at Tau Devi Lal Sports activities Advanced for the primary time and skilled below coach Naseem Ahmad’. And the remaining, as they are saying, is historical past.
As Neeraj’s curiosity within the sport elevated and he began pursuing it professionally, the elders in his household determined to place him in an open college in order that he might give attention to the sport– a daring step to take even right now.
Actually then, Neeraj’s total household has been the wind beneath his wings that propelled him in the best route, on the proper time. “When one’s baby achieves success and brings glory to the nation, there aren’t any phrases to precise the happiness of fogeys and the whole household. We reside in a joint household and we’re 4 brothers. Neeraj (Chopra) has been fortunate within the sense that he acquired full assist from his total household, who always inspired and motivated him to pursue his ardour,” his proud father Satish Chopra informed the media again in 2021 when Neeraj Chopra had received his first gold medal on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was additionally his debut Olympics.
His good friend, coach, and brother Jaiveer too have been a continuing in his journey to success. Through the years, Neeraj has skilled below among the finest coaches on the planet however Jaiveer continues to be his go-to particular person even right now. Revealing this, Neeraj’s uncle Satish Chopra additional informed The Week, “He (Jaiveer) pushed Neeraj in the best route… He’s each a coach and a brother to Neeraj.”
In the meantime, his mom Saroj Devi too has been a continuing pillar of power and a supply of consolation and understanding for the Olympian. Contemplating his rigorous coaching and work commitments, Neeraj would not get an excessive amount of time to spend at home– however his mom, a homemaker, would not complain and helps him from afar. In an emotional second, after coming back from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Neeraj eliminated his gold medal and put it round his mom Saroj’s neck first after which his father whereas assembly them on the Indira Gandhi Worldwide (IGI) Airport in New Delhi again in 2021– an motion that marked a tribute to their immense sacrifices over time.
The Chopras have an unstated rule of not attending Neeraj’s competitions, lest he will get distracted from his aim.
Neeraj additionally has two youthful sisters– Sangeeta and Savita.