Mahesh Bhupathi, Lara Dutta, and daughter Saira meet Neeraj Chopra after Paris Olympics silver 

Legendary tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, his wife Lara Dutta, and their daughter Saira met Neeraj Chopra after the 2024 Paris Olympics. On Thursday, August 8, Neeraj won the silver medal in men’s javelin at Stade de France with a best throw of 89.45 meters, his season’s best performance. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won gold while Anderson Peters of Grenada won bronze.

After Neeraj’s incredible run, Bhupathi and his family caught up with Neeraj, the only Indian from Independent India to win an Olympic medal in athletics. Lara Dutta, who won the Miss Universe award in 2000, was delighted to meet Neeraj, who has put India on the map in track and field events.

“The man of the hour!! Neeraj Chopra!! It was incredible to watch him and Arshad Nadeem compete yesterday!! Champions all round!!” Lara wrote on her Instagram story.

Neeraj Chopra with Saira Bhupathi. (PC: Lara Dutta Instagram)

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Neeraj Chopra shines in Paris Olympics

Neeraj Chopra was not at his very best, but despite that, he managed to bring India medals in back-to-back Olympics. In 2021, he won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics and joined Abhinav Bindra as the only other Indian with an individual gold in the history of the showpiece event.

Neeraj started with a foul throw after he slipped on his follow-through. But in the second throw, he showed why he is one of India’s greatest athletes. From the second throw onwards, Neeraj again started struggling, but his second throw had already sealed the deal for him.

Once Arshad Nadeem threw 92.97 meters, which also turned out to be an Olympic record, it became tougher for Neeraj to get back in the gold medal position. Barring his second throw, all of Neeraj’s throws were fouls.

Arshad, on the other hand, finished his campaign in the men’s javelin final with another monstrous throw of 91.79 meters.