India’s Olympic gold medalist and World Champion javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has entered a new phase of his life, announcing his marriage to Himani. On Sunday, Neeraj shared the joyous news through Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), posting heartfelt messages and photos from the wedding ceremony.
“Started a new chapter of life with my family. Grateful for every blessing that brought us to this moment together. Bound by love, happily ever after. Neeraj Himani,” the star athlete wrote on X.
An Iconic Journey in Athletics
Neeraj Chopra has cemented his legacy as one of India’s greatest athletes. Despite falling short of a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, his silver-medal performance with a throw of 89.45 meters ensured his place in history. Chopra became the second male athlete from post-independence India to win two Olympic medals in an individual event, with gold in Tokyo 2020 and silver in Paris 2024.
At the Paris Games, Chopra faced challenges with four foul throws out of six attempts, but his best effort of 89.45 meters secured him a podium finish. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters, while Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed bronze with 88.54 meters.
Challenges and Transitions
Chopra also narrowly missed the Diamond League title last year, finishing second with a throw of 87.86 meters in Brussels. Despite the close margins, Chopra has remained a force to be reckoned with in international athletics.
Earlier in November, Chopra parted ways with his long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz, who retired after a successful collaboration. Under Bartonietz’s guidance, Chopra earned multiple accolades, including two Olympic medals, two World Championship medals, and an Asian Games gold.
To continue his pursuit of excellence, Chopra has teamed up with Czech javelin legend Jan Železný as his new coach. Železný, a three-time Olympic champion and current world record holder (98.48 meters), has long been a source of inspiration for Chopra.
The Road Ahead
With his marriage marking a personal milestone, Neeraj Chopra is also looking forward to scaling new heights in his athletic career under Železný’s mentorship. The partnership brings together two legends of the sport, aiming to push boundaries and achieve new records.