Neeraj Chopra Swaps His Javelin For A Game Of Table Tennis, Here's Why

Last Updated:October 13, 2025, 15:18 IST

Neeraj Chopra enjoyed a scenic Switzerland break, playing table tennis in Zurich.

Neeraj Chopra playing table tennis

India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra swapped his javelin for a table tennis game during his Switzerland getaway. The Olympic medallist began his scenic break in Zurich, engaging in friendly matches and experiencing the thrill of paragliding amidst the picturesque landscapes.

Following his disappointing eighth-place finish at the World Championships in Tokyo last month, Neeraj took a brief respite from his athletic pursuits and is enjoying a scenic break in Switzerland.

Neeraj spontaneously joined a game of table tennis and secured some wins. He then strolled along the Viadukt, Zurich’s trendy repurposed railway line, before heading up the Freitag tower, a stacked array of shipping containers in Zurich-West, for city views that left a lasting impression.

Trying out ping pong for the first time at Josefwiese was a fun experience. Neeraj has always loved a bit of friendly competition, and this was a great way to change things up. It was light-hearted, energetic, and the park setting made it even better.

After the match, Neeraj walked along the Viadukt, which showcased a different side of Zurich– creative, modern, and full of character. Reaching the Freitag tower and climbing to the top, the view of Zurich-West was next level; the city looked absolutely beautiful. Moments like these make Zurich feel special every time he visits.

Neeraj later travelled to the fairytale village of Murren, where he enjoyed paragliding over the village. Paragliding over Mürren was surreal. Flying high above charming little chalets, lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls felt like something out of a dream, picture-perfect from every angle! After landing, he had a relaxing lunch at Panorama Restaurant in Allmendhubel. The food was delicious, but it’s the mountain view that truly stayed with him.

Who Is Neeraj Chopra?

Neeraj Chopra has won gold medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Asian Games. He also secured the prestigious Diamond League title.

Chopra made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by becoming the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in the javelin throw. He repeated this groundbreaking achievement at the 2023 World Athletics Championships, where he became the first Asian to claim gold in the event’s history.

From June 2021 to September 2025, Chopra demonstrated exceptional consistency, finishing in the top two in 26 consecutive international competitions. This streak is the second-longest in javelin history, second only to world record holder Jan Železný. His performances have established him not only as one of India’s greatest athletes but also as one of the finest javelin throwers the world has ever seen.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

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News sports Neeraj Chopra Swaps His Javelin For A Game Of Table Tennis, Here's Why

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