Eyes on sky, feet on ground

Rohit Mahajan in Paris

The humility of Neeraj Chopra, probably India’s greatest living sportsperson, is truly humbling. Chopra, 26, is supremely confident, yet supremely self-deprecating — such people are rare. A world champion, Olympics champion, with the looks of a rockstar, 10 years a role model — yet fame and wealth and hero-worship don’t seem to have left a spot on his soul.

Last night, after her son was beaten by Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan in men’s javelin final at the Olympics, Chopra’s mother said: “The boy who won gold, he’s also my child.”

These are Chopra’s roots, and he says that he never forgets his roots — this keeps him grounded, he says. “Dekho ji... When I started in sports, I never thought I’d reach this level. Being from a village, from the family of a farmer, I rose and have reached here,” Chopra said shortly after winning silver. “So, when I manage to achieve thoda-bahut — some few minor things — and win a medal, I think about my journey. I think about my roots, the small village I started from, my modest family (whose reach) was confined to a small area. All talk was limited to the village.”

Such thoughts, said Chopra, keep him grounded, keep him motivated.

Chopra is an authentic article, unchanged since we first met him eight years ago, there’s a ring of truth in his words when he speaks about village, nation, country. He doesn’t do pretence, seems completely transparent — speaking in English holds a terror to him and he doesn’t hide it; he knows the value of money and likes to earn it through endorsement, and he doesn’t hide that as well.

Could you answer a question in English, please, Chopra was asked by the venue media centre staff. Chopra’s eyes widened, he grimaced and said: “Oh! Now I need to motivate myself to speak in English, just how I motivate myself for competition.”

He didn’t even try to wash out the question about endorsement — and, indirectly, money — under a torrent of words about his love for the country.

“I put my game on top priority after Tokyo and after Tokyo Games only I got the opportunity to get associated with brands,” Chopra said when asked about the possibility of being distracted by sponsor commitments. “It is usual that brands come after you (athletes), and if you get it, why will you leave that opportunity?”

Who, indeed, says no to money? “Else, (without money), you’ll only work hard and destroy your body and will be left with nothing — shreer hi tootega khel khel kar, last mein kuch nahi rahega,” Chopra said. He said brand endorsements improve the profile of the sport and lure in kids. “It also opens the way for kids, next generation,” he said.

When the question about his humility despite being the “greatest living Indian sportsperson” was translated into English for international media, Chopra hastened to clarify, in English, that that’s not his claim: “I’m not saying that I’m the greatest! That’s just someone’s opinion!”

The opinion is not outrageous, for a gold and silver in the Olympics, sport’s greatest festival and toughest contest, must count more than anything achieved in a 10-country sport.