"Had Excess Flab When I Was Young": Neeraj Chopra's Big Revelation

Neeraj Chopra, the man behind the javelin revolution in India, is known for his humbleness despite becoming an athletics icon. The Golden Boy has spoken about his life journey in the second episode of the 'Fit India Champions' podcast released on Saturday. From a chubby youngster to a world champion, Chopra has spoken on life career transformation. The first episode featured armless archer Sheetal Devi on January 27. A flagship programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Fit India Mission is an endeavour to spread the virtues of physical and mental wellness.

The 'Fit India Champions' podcast series is aimed at spreading the good words through conversations with athletes and health influencers who are acting as catalysts for change.

Neeraj Chopra's journey to the Tokyo Olympics gold wasn't meant to be as he was obese back in the day and nobody believed in him making a mark in sports. He however kept the belief in himself and 2011 was the start of a new journey in life.

"I had excess flab when I was young and people kept telling me I cannot get into sport because of being obese and overweight. Listening to all these, however, never made me feel mentally down. I wanted to turn around my physique and rectify it.

"Everything changed when I went to the stadium in 2011 and took up javelin," Chopra revealed in his conversation with the podcast host, Shrimati Ekta Vishnoi, the Mission Director of Fit India and the Deputy Director General, Sports Authority of India.

"That's when my journey started and in 2021, I bagged the gold in Tokyo. I'm happy to have given my 100 per cent. The medal was an added bonus but all I wanted was to be happy with my performance," Chopra added.

A complete believer in desi Indian diet,