Sure, Neeraj Chopra is now the world number 2 in men’s Javelin throw, after having won India her first gold medal in the sport. Sure, he is now a sporting sensation in our country. But, this old interview will tell you a different story; about a time when he not only wasn’t an Olympics gold medallist; but also didn’t have an idea about javelin throwing.
In an old video that is now doing rounds on social media Neeraj Chopra admitted that he did not have much of an idea about javelin throwing.
Have a look at the video.
Desi Chora Neeraj Chopra Old Interview pic.twitter.com/1g3wayNoJz
— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) August 9, 2021
The video was shared by BJP’s Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga, where Neeraj talks more about how he got into a sport that was not very renowned.
The video is from a Star Sports event celebrating sportspersons and it has garnered 12.8k likes and, more than 84.2k views so far.
The host in the video is seen asking Neeraj, “How did javelin happen, tells us the story?” Neeraj, in response, requests the host to ask the question in Hindi and then replied “God decided it for me. I used to play different sports in my village (Khandra)”.
He further adds, “I went to the ground and saw seniors throwing the Javelin in the air, I joined them, I did not even know what Javelin is. It started just like that and, now I’m here in front of you.”
Netizens are lauding and showering love in the comment section.
Real sportsperson. Liked his simplicity with answers coming from the heart. No fluent english, but love for mother tongue. Not inspired by unreal heros for hairstyle, now Neeraj is an icon in himself. Kudos to a real Indian. https://t.co/uH6ymdJWcp
— Tejinder (@tejinderkkr) August 9, 2021
Self confidence of a real hero @karanjohar https://t.co/F0RsdYpzcK
— Rohit Tiwari रोहित तिवारी ரோஹித் திவாரி (@SGTROHITTIWARI) August 10, 2021
Their should be no shame… every one should speak in hindi.. because it’s our national language…why we are promoting other languages…respect for you #NeerajChopra
— Goldy (@Goldy24182106) August 9, 2021
What an answer… He is my man… Not afraid to ask to be spoken in Hindi and not afraid to say, I don’t follow any filmi heroes… He should be our youth’s hero… Great…
— Ganesh Rao (@ganesharaokv) August 9, 2021
Neeraj “Pure Gold” Chopra… देश का असली रत्न।
— Arkaᴳˢᴹ (@Arka281079) August 9, 2021
Really
— Pradeep pal 🇮🇳 (@Iproud108) August 9, 2021
Bollywood ke so called reel hero se
Lakh lakh guna accha ye apna bhai real hero #NeerajChopra hai 👌👍👏🏆💪
We should follow #NeerajChopra 🇮🇳as hero 👍👏👌🏆💪 pic.twitter.com/9AUap09q3i
Hope he maintains his simplicity, soberness and down to earth attitude .. ❤️
— Roll No. 20 (@doc_roll20) August 9, 2021
Superb …
— Shikha Sharma (@shikhasharmabjp) August 9, 2021
Apni inspiration khud hi hona chahiye।।।👏👏👏👏
He deserves all the love he is getting.