PM Modi meets Neeraj Chopra, wife Himani Mor; hails javelin star’s stellar year

Sharing details of the interaction on X, the Prime Minister wrote, “Met Neeraj Chopra and his wife, Himani Mor at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier today. We had a great interaction on various issues including sports, of course.”

The 27-year-old javelin thrower enjoyed a career-defining season, registering a personal best of 90.23 metres at the Doha Diamond League, which also stands as India’s national record.

Chopra first came to national prominence with India’s first Olympic gold in athletics at the Tokyo 2020 Games, and followed it with a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

He also made history at the Budapest 2023 World Championships, becoming India’s first senior athletics world champion after previously earning silver in Oregon in 2022, ending the country’s 19-year medal drought at the World Championships.

Over the year, Chopra clinched three major titles, including the Paris Diamond League, the Golden Spike meet, and the inaugural NC Classic, fulfilling his dream of hosting a world-class event in front of his family and the home crowd.

In October, he received the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army, presented during a pipping ceremony in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Indian sports.

The year was not without challenges. Chopra struggled at the Diamond League Finals, finishing second to Germany’s Julian Weber, and faced a major setback at the World Championships in Tokyo in September, finishing eighth after battling back pain.

Despite these hurdles, Chopra maintained a remarkable record of 24 international events with either a win or second-place finish since his Olympic triumph in 2021.

Off the field, Chopra marked a significant personal milestone by marrying Himani Mor on January 16, 2025, in an intimate ceremony at a private Himachal Pradesh resort, attended by close family.

The wedding was later shared publicly through Chopra’s social media.

With his blend of sporting excellence and personal milestones, 2025 will be remembered as a defining year for India’s javelin superstar.