India, Jan. 7 -- Neeraj Chopra, one of the most followed athletes in the country, enjoys a near-mythical status in India. The javelin star has been celebrated as a national hero since his remarkable performance at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, which he followed with a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. He is also distinguished as the first Asian to secure a gold medal in javelin at the World Championships and has triumphed at the Diamond League on one occasion.

At the age of 27, Chopra has achieved gold in every significant tournament 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 of managing 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. Maintaining it is quite challenging. The primary issue is that athletes, particularly in tennis, often sport long hair, like Nadal or Federer. Those who have done so face difficulties due to excessive sweating. I observe that women use a lot of shampoo and oil, and 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. Consequently, my hair has become weak," he explained.

Chopra also recounted his notable encounter with Roger Federer, which garnered significant media attention. "I met Federer in Zurich, where he serves as the ambassador for Swiss tourism, a role I also hold for India. Our conversation was quite natural, revolving around sports and other topics off-camera. He is very sincere, and his reputation as an athlete is well-deserved," he remarked.

He further shared Federer's fondness for India, stating, "He mentioned that Indian cuisine ranks among his top five favourites. He always tries to order Indian food wherever he travels."

"He expressed a desire to visit India, particularly Rajasthan," he added.

Chopra has consistently been a champion since his early days in athletics, being the first Indian to win at the World U-20 Championships, where he also set a world U-20 record.

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