Go for GOLD
The MAN|October 01, 2021
UNRAVELLING NEERAJ CHOPRA: THE MAN, THE ATHLETE, THE HUMAN
Dhiram Shah
Go for GOLD

THERE'S A LOT that television screens do not show you. Behind the dazzling grin and affirmative stance of India’s golden boy, Neeraj Chopra is a personality I was fortunate enough to encounter, in person. As I made my way to meet the first Olympian I have ever interviewed, his charisma shone through the distance, as he stood beside the shiny, new look Lexus ES 300h for THE MAN'S cover shoot.

Unlike those tanned by prolonged exposure to the shutterbugs, Neeraj was like a child in a park, cooperating with the team and patiently trying out new poses by the car. The ES 300h seemed to have an allure on the young star and as he got into the driver’s seat and checked out the controls, he asked permission to take the car for a spin, his modesty and mannerisms surprising everyone. He came back from the short spin with a beaming grin, reminding me that this gold medallist is just 23 years old.

When it was time to confront him for the interview, I requested Neeraj for a photograph with me. With his endearing charm, he obliged most graciously and even recommended different camera angles with which we could do our own personal photoshoot. This set a precedence for the fainthearted, modest giant of a sportsman I would be speaking to. And thus, we began.

TRACKING

NEERAJ CHOPRA

GOLD OLYMPICS 2020 TOKYO 87.58m

GOLD ASIAN GAMES 2020 JAKARTA 88.06m

GOLD COMMONWEALTH GAMES 2018 GOLD COAST 86.47m

GOLD ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 BHUBANESHWAR 85.23m

GOLD SOUTH ASIAN GAMES 2016 GUWAHATI 82.23m

WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP BYDGOSZCZ 2016 86.48m

ASIAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 HO CHI MINH CITY 77.60m

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE MANView all
The 2023 Bucket List
The MAN

The 2023 Bucket List

Before the world as we know it changes forever, here's a partial list of experiences to try in the year ahead

time-read
3 mins  |
January 01,2023
Do You Have The Time To Read Your Watch?
The MAN

Do You Have The Time To Read Your Watch?

Audemars Piguet Starwheel Code 11.59 is the latest among watches with unusual layouts

time-read
3 mins  |
January 01,2023
THEY CAME THEY RODE, THEY CONQUERED
The MAN

THEY CAME THEY RODE, THEY CONQUERED

FOUR WOMEN BIKERS TRAVERSING THE UNTOUCHED TERRAIN OF EASTERN ARUNACHAL ON THEIR DUCATI MULTISTRADA BIKES. THE 'EXPLORE BEYOND' BIKING EXPEDITION WAS AN INITIATIVE OF ARUNACHAL TOURISM TO SHOWCASE THE STATE AS A SAFE DESTINATION FOR SOLO WOMEN TRAVELLERS. THE RIDE WAS FLAGGED OFF BY CM PEMA KHANDU FROM THE BANKS OF THE SIANG AT PASIGHAT AND WOUND UP AT THE ORANGE FESTIVAL OF ADVENTURE & MUSIC, DAMBUK, WHERE THE BIKERS LET THEIR HAIR DOWN AND PARTIED LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW. YUP, GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN, AND IN ARUNACHAL THEY CAN - SAFELY

time-read
4 mins  |
January 01,2023
ΤΗΕ RIGHT ΤΙΜΕ
The MAN

ΤΗΕ RIGHT ΤΙΜΕ

AS CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY BECOME BURNING ISSUES, WATCH BRANDS TOO ARE DOING THEIR BIT TO SUPPORT CAUSES, BOTH THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL THE TIMEPIECES THEY ARE CREATING AND THE INITIATIVES THEY ARE UNDERTAKING

time-read
4 mins  |
January 01,2023
THE GOLDENPASS EXPRESS
The MAN

THE GOLDENPASS EXPRESS

A LUXURY SWISS WINTER ESCAPE ROUTE

time-read
5 mins  |
January 01,2023
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
The MAN

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

WITH BOUTIQUE LODGES AND ΝΟ CROWDS, THE MORE EXCLUSIVE TEHLA ZONE OF SARISKA NATIONAL PARK IS EMERGING AS THE DESTINATION OF CHOICE FOR WILDLIFE ENTHUSIASTS

time-read
6 mins  |
January 01,2023
LAMBORGHINI HURACAN EVO SPYDER TOP-DOWN ADRENALINE MACHINE
The MAN

LAMBORGHINI HURACAN EVO SPYDER TOP-DOWN ADRENALINE MACHINE

A machine sculpted to perfection, the Lamborghini Huracan EVO Spyder is a sensational car in every sense. It is fast, it's beautiful, and it is just special

time-read
4 mins  |
January 01,2023
CARS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2023
The MAN

CARS TO WATCH OUT FOR IN 2023

WITH THE devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the acute supply chain disruptions caused by it beginning to ease, the automotive industry is rapidly accelerating out of the deep crisis it found itself two years ago.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 01,2023
DATING A SINGLE MOM
The MAN

DATING A SINGLE MOM

IT’S A COOL Friday evening. She is sitting with a cup of hot chocolate and unwinding with her phone. Her dating app has 10 unread messages. She hopes that at least one match will lead to a conversation and a date that weekend.

time-read
5 mins  |
January 01,2023
YOUR SHIP HAS COME IN
The MAN

YOUR SHIP HAS COME IN

Go-karting, the world’s first freefall dry slide on sea, musical shows, spa, artwork... this new ship has raised the bar on many levels!

time-read
2 mins  |
January 01,2023