Chef Neeraj Chopra: Star javelin thrower shares his cooking skills & favourite recipe

The two-time Olympic medallist opens up about his life as a young athlete.

Neeraj Chopra is not just India’s best javelin thrower and athlete; he’s a good cook too. Back when he started training, managing three meals in a day was tough, especially with the strict, nutritious diet his athletic journey demanded. That’s when the Olympic gold medallist decided to learn cooking himself.

“I learned to cook from the beginning,” Neeraj said in an interview with StudyAbroadWithDet on Thursday. Neeraj, now 27, began his training in 2011 under Naseem Ahmed at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula, Haryana.

For an athlete, training is just one part of the routine; diet is equally important. “As an athlete, you know our relationship with food is serious. We have to take care of our nutrition,” he added.

In the beginning, Neeraj Chopra learned to cook basic meals like “dal, vegetables, roti, rice, and more”. However, the first and most favorite dish he learned was “Veg Biryani”.

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“My favorite thing to cook was something we call Namkeen Chawal in Haryana, but you can call it veg biryani. I’d add raita and salad with it. I used to cook well and pour desi ghee over it, and it tasted amazing.”

When it came to managing his daily routine, Neeraj shared how tough it was to balance everything with his training, cooking, and being consistent. It’s not just his story but something that many students can relate to, especially those living away from home for the first time. Just like athletes, students have to juggle studies, meals, and sometimes work, all while chasing their dreams.

“It was difficult at first, training twice a day and cooking three meals. I know students also go through the same. They study for hours, cook their meals, and some even work. It’s not easy,” he said.

The two-time Olympic medallist had a message for everyone who lives such a life where they needs to find a balance in everything, be it training, studying, or working.

“Yes, the journey is tough. But if you learn to manage it well, you can conquer anything.”

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