Prime Minister Modi Hosts Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra and His Wife

On December 23, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared photos from his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg, where he welcomed India's star javelin thrower and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra along with his wife, Himani Mor. The images showcased a warm interaction between the Prime Minister and the athlete, highlighting discussions on various topics, particularly those related to sports.

 

Neeraj is recognized as one of India's most celebrated athletes, but the year 2025 has been a mixed bag for him in terms of competition. A significant achievement during his season was at the Doha Diamond League, where he surpassed the much-anticipated 90-meter mark. His best throw of 90.23 meters was a personal milestone, yet it fell short of securing a gold medal, as Germany's Julian Weber clinched first place with a throw of 91.06 meters, leaving Neeraj in second.

 

Despite this setback, Neeraj excelled in other international events, winning both the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike. Throughout the Diamond League season, he ranked second overall. However, the World Championships proved to be a challenging experience for the 27-year-old, as injuries and inconsistent performances hindered his ability to reach the podium, resulting in an overall eighth-place finish. This marked his first non-podium result in a major competition since 2018, underscoring the rarity of such outcomes in his illustrious career. His physical struggles during the championship were evident and likely impacted his performance significantly.

 

Outside of international competitions, Neeraj had reasons to celebrate in 2025. He hosted the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, which attracted athletes from around the globe. Competing on home turf, he won the tournament with a best throw of 86.18 meters, while Julius Yego and Ramesh Pathirage secured second and third places, respectively.