Neeraj Chopra on Fame: “I Don’t Compare Myself to Cricketers Like Kohli and Dhoni”
New Delhi, 19th July 2024: Neeraj Chopra’s acclaim has surged following his historic gold medal in athletics at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite his rising fame, Chopra remains grounded and modest.
When questioned about his standing relative to prominent cricketers like Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni, Neeraj respectfully avoided making comparisons. He acknowledged cricket’s unrivalled popularity in India but expressed his aspiration for the javelin to gain similar recognition and success. Chopra emphasized that he does not want javelin’s advancement to overshadow other sports.
“As long as you respect your sport and find fulfilment in it, other factors should be secondary,” Neeraj Chopra told Sportstar. Reflecting on his experience at the Doha Diamond League, he mentioned, “I was asked about my popularity in India. I don’t compare myself to figures like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni because I’m aware of where I stand in the Indian sports landscape.” He added, “After the Olympics, my recognition has increased, but I understand there’s a significant difference in popularity compared to cricket. Cricket is ubiquitous in India, unlike javelin throw.”
Chopra stressed that he prefers the growth of his sport through genuine effort rather than shortcuts. “I want javelin to gain popularity through my dedication and hard work,” he explained. He believes that more javelin competitions in India, akin to the Diamond League, would generate greater public interest. “Having national-level leagues and more competitions would significantly boost the sport in India,” he noted.
Chopra is set to lead an Indian team of 118 athletes at the Paris Olympics, which commence on July 26.
