A strong determination, discipline and hardwork backed by family’s unflinching support played a key role in star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s success at his maiden Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Chopra’s father Satish Chopra, who has a farming background, credited family support behind his son’s achievement.
“When one’s child achieves success and brings glory to the nation, there are no words to express happiness of parents and entire family. We live in a joint family and we are four brothers. Neeraj (Chopra) has been lucky in the sense that he got full support from entire family, who constantly encouraged and motivated him to pursue his passion,” he told the media.
The athlete’s mother Saroj added: “Today, he has lived up to everyone’s expectations and made India proud,” she said.
Chopra’s uncle Bhim Chopra, who played a key role in shaping his career, agreed with his brother.
“God has answered our prayers. “It is not only a player’s hard work and strong determination that counts, strong family support, constant encouragement and motivation and inculcating good values is important. Neeraj have all these which helped him pursue his aim,” Bhim Chopra said.
Chopra’s native Khandra village, near Panipat burst into celebratory mood after their very own child shone bright at sport’s biggest stage on Saturday evening.
Even elderly women in the village and family have been dancing and singing after he had won a Gold and heaped praise on the son-of-the-soil for making India proud.
Satish said he was confident that his son would win a medal, but was not sure about the colour of the medal.