Neeraj Chopra, one of the most-followed athletes in India, enjoys a near-divine status among his compatriots. Since his remarkable performance at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, where he emerged victorious, he has been celebrated as a national hero. He further solidified his reputation by securing a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Notably, he is the first Asian athlete to clinch a gold medal in javelin at the World Championships and has also achieved success at the Diamond League.

At the age of 27, Chopra has consistently won gold medals in all major tournaments and boasts an impressive streak of podium finishes across 24 consecutive competitions dating back to 2020.

In a revealing interview with Lallantop, the athlete from Haryana discussed the challenges he faces in maintaining his long hair, drawing comparisons to tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. 

“I have not been diligent in caring for my hair, and it is gradually thinning. Managing it is quite challenging. The primary issue is that many athletes, particularly in tennis, tend to have long hair, like Nadal or Federer. Those who have maintained long hair have faced difficulties due to excessive sweating. I observe that women often use a lot of shampoo and oil, but I am unsure how they find the time for such routines. I cannot manage that. After training, I simply dry my sweaty hair with a towel, take a shower, and then go to sleep. As a result, my hair has become weaker,” he remarked.

Neeraj Chopra on meeting Roger Federer

Chopra shared insights about his notable encounter with Roger Federer an event that garnered significant media attention. "I had the opportunity to meet Federer in Zurich, where he serves as the ambassador for Swiss Tourism, a role I also hold for India. This connection facilitated our meeting. Our discussion flowed naturally, encompassing topics related to sports as well as personal matters. He is a very sincere individual, and his reputation as an exceptional athlete is well-known," he remarked.

Highlighting Federer’s fondness for India, Chopra noted, "He mentioned that Indian cuisine consistently ranks among his top five favorites. He expressed that wherever he travels, he makes it a point to order Indian dishes."

"He also conveyed his desire to visit India, particularly Rajasthan," he continued.

Chopra has consistently excelled in athletics since his early years. He made history as the first Indian to triumph at the World U-20 Championships, where he achieved a world U-20 record throw of 86.48 meters in 2016.

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