Neeraj Chopra wedding: Javelin star ties knot with Himani minus PR overdrive

If Neeraj Chopra needs a middle name, add 'modesty' to it. On Sunday night (January 19,2025), when it was time to switch off the gadgets came the news Neeraj Chopra had nailed the biggest medal in his personal life.

It seemed spoof at first but to see Neeraj on a 'shaadi mandap' seated next to Himani, his love, was a massive secret. He kept it well concealed, just like his groin injury for a major part of the 2024 season before he won a javelin silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Everyone has bit of Neeraj in him or her. Yet, if you are shocked by his 'sudden marriage' minus any PR overdrive, that is typical Neeraj. MyKhel can confirm Neeraj wanted his wedding to be minus media glare and a PR drive. That defines Neeraj, a selfless person. He will talk and smile when you speak to him. That is, if you get a chance. But when he is in his own zone, he shuts off. The wedding, too, was known to very few people and he posted photos from his own X handle with immense grace.

Rewind to the big, fat wedding of another icon who has also won two Olympic medals, PV Sindhu, that beat even Bollywood weddings on the Richter scale. Sindhu was keen to have a destination wedding in Udaipur. And she did invite all the bigwigs. But she, too, had done well to keep her fiancé under wraps for a long time. Sindhu also hosted a lavish reception in Hyderabad and then went to the holy hills to visit Lord Balaji in Tirumala, which is above the base town of Tirupati with her husband. The honeymoon, so to say, was short and sweet as she had to get ready for the big BWF Tour event in New Delhi last week. She lost in the quarter-finals and is not upset.

Back to Neeraj, he loves to do things quietly. Marriage is an institution and he would have chosen his partner with great care. It portrays Neeraj as a simpleton who does not believe in showbiz and extravagance. He is preparing for the World Championship this year in Tokyo and will be focused on it as well. Images of Neeraj seated next to his wife/bride make for great viewing. The usual pictures are of Neeraj in a track pant and T-shirt, his head wrapped in a bandana. On Sunday night, he had the 'sehra' and looked so smart. Indeed, this picture of Neeraj would have broken lakhs of hearts. He was the most eligible bachelor, till Sunday night. No longer, he is now hitched.

Rewind to a few controversies, Neeraj has always been very careful about his image, Rewind to 2018, when he won gold in the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. That was the star rising. When he sealed gold at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, he was massively popular.

Wrestling star Vinesh Phogat was also going to see him in action at the track and field arena. He also did watch her at a few bouts. Soon, 'news' spread like wildfire, Neeraj and Vinesh, something was on. I was present in Jakarta and a small report by Ashwin Ferro of Mid Day, Mumbai led to a furore. There was nothing nasty or cheek in that report, just a bit tongue-in-cheek. Anyway, after Asian Games, Vinesh landed at the airport in New Delhi and got engaged to Somvir, her life partner.

Social media did exist seven years ago. So, Neeraj always made news. But to think he was dating anyone, it's all wrong. Neeraj has always been focused and he was not dating any Indian lady athlete.

In Paris 2024, a video of Neeraj in conversation with Manu Bhaker's mother also sparked controversy. No, Neeraj and Manu Bhaker have known each other as stars from Haryana who went on to do Indian proud. It is about time all these 'gossip stories' are closed forever.

Neeraj and Himani are in wedlock, God bless.