Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra surprised fans and friends alike when he announced his marriage to Himani Mor, a tennis player-turned-sports management professional, via social media on Sunday, January 19. The intimate ceremony took place at the SuryaVilas Resort in Kumarhatti, near Solan, along the Kalka-Shimla Highway. Attended only by close family members, the destination wedding remained a well-guarded secret until the official announcement.

A Love Story That Began in the U.S.

According to Neeraj's uncle, Surendra Chopra, the couple first met in the United States, where their relationship blossomed. With both families giving their approval, the wedding was planned two months in advance. In keeping with Neeraj’s preference for privacy regarding his personal life, the event was kept under wraps, and even some of Neeraj’s close friends only learned of the marriage through his social media post.

Before the wedding, Himani visited Neeraj’s ancestral village to participate in traditional pre-wedding rituals. The wedding itself was a three-day affair, held from January 14 to 16. Remarkably, even the officiating priest was unaware of Neeraj’s celebrity status.

A Dowry-Free Ceremony

Highlighting his grounded values, Neeraj declined any dowry for the marriage. Instead, as a gesture of good fortune, he accepted a token amount of one rupee from the bride’s family, his uncle revealed in an exclusive interview.

Tokyo, the Special Guest

Adding a personal touch to the wedding, Neeraj’s beloved pet dog, Tokyo, named after his historic gold medal victory at the Tokyo Olympics and gifted to him by fellow Olympian Abhinav Bindra, was present as one of the cherished guests. To ensure privacy, all attendees were prohibited from using mobile phones during the ceremonies.

Balancing Marriage and a Packed Career

The wedding was strategically timed during Neeraj’s off-season, given his rigorous schedule in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Neeraj, who recently clinched silver at the Paris Olympics, has had a busy few years, including his recent second-place finish at the Diamond League final in September.

With his focus on training, Neeraj recently enlisted the legendary Jan Zelezny as his coach to prepare for the new season starting in April.

About Himani Mor

Himani Mor has an impressive academic and professional background. A graduate of Miranda House at Delhi University, she pursued Sports Management at Southeastern Louisiana University and later earned an MBA in Sports and Fitness Administration from Franklin Pierce University. Currently, Himani is completing a Master of Science degree at the Isenberg School of Management. She also works as a graduate assistant, managing the women’s tennis team at Amherst College in Massachusetts.

Neeraj Chopra’s surprise announcement has delighted fans and marked the beginning of a new chapter in the life of India’s star athlete.