Strong family support key to Neeraj Chopra's Olympic success

AN iron-strong determination, discipline and hard work backed by the family’s resolute support played a key role behind the massive success of javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra at the Tokyo Olympics.

The 23-year-old, who is a Naib Subedar-ranked official in the Indian Army, made history on Saturday (7) by becoming the first athlete in free India to win an Olympic medal. He also became only the second Indian to win an individual gold at the mega event after Abhinav Bindra, who won the top medal in shooting in the 2008 edition.

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Chopra’s father Satish Chopra, who has a farming background, said the family’s support played a big role behind his son’s success.

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“When one’s child achieves success and brings glory to the nation, there are no words to express happiness of parents and entire family. We live in a joint family and we are four brothers. Neeraj (Chopra) has been lucky in the sense that he got full support from entire family, who constantly encouraged and motivated him to pursue his passion,” he told reporters in Panipat in the northern Indian state of Haryana.

Supporters celebrate after athlete Neeraj Chopra wins the gold medal for the men's javelin throw during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, in Siliguri in the Indian state of West Bengal on August 7, 2021. (Photo by DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP via Getty Images)

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Saroj, the mother of the Olympian, said: “Today, he has lived up to everyone’s expectations and made India proud.”

Chopra’s uncle Bhim Chopra, who played a key role in shaping his career, agreed with his brother. “God has answered our prayers. It is not only a player’s hard work and strong determination that counts, strong family support, constant encouragement and motivation and inculcating good values is important. Neeraj has all these which helped him pursue his aim,” he said.

Chopra’s native Khandra village near Panipat burst into celebration after he won the gold at Tokyo. Elderly women in the village and family were seen dancing and singing after he won the medal and heaped praise on him for making the country proud. People from far-off places were seen visiting the Chopras’ residence to congratulate them.

On Saturday, Chopra's family had put up a giant screen outside their home to enable people from the neighbourhood, including children and mediapersons, who had gathered there, to watch live action from the javelin-throw event from Tokyo.

According to Satish, his son developed an interest in javelin from some of his associates in Panipat’s Shivaji Stadium.

“Later, he developed interest in the sport and he started doing well. He always focused only on javelin and remained firm on pursuing the sport,” he said.

'Milkha Singh would have been proud'

He also said had legendary athlete Milkha Singh been alive (he died from Covid in June), he would have been proud of his son’s achievement.

“We wish Milkha ji was alive and amongst us today, he would have been so happy and proud,” he said.

Chopra dedicated his medal to the late ‘Flying Sikh’ who had missed an Olympic medal by a whisker in the 1960 edition in Rome.

Satish said he was confident his son would win a medal but was not sure which colour it would be.