Panipat, August 28: Family members of India’s famed javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra shouted in ecstasy on Sunday after he made yet another outstanding spear-wielding performance, clinching the country’s first gold medal at the prestigious World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Satish Kumar, Neeraj’s father, exuded pride in his son’s triumph, saying, “This is a moment of delight and festivity, not only for our family, but also for the entire village and the nation.” He has given enormous joy to the country.”
Bhim Chopra, the famed Indian javelin thrower’s uncle, also expressed his delight, saying, “The entire nation is celebrating this moment.” It is a tremendously proud moment for the country. We’ll have a party when Neeraj returns; he’s currently on a tight schedule.”
Neeraj, India’s golden boy for the 2020 Summer Olympics, made history again on Monday in Budapest, defeating Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem to claim the country’s first-ever gold medal in the World Athletics Championships. In the men’s javelin throw final, he beat out his Pakistani adversary by less than a metre to win gold.
The 25-year-old Haryana native made a best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt and was able to maintain his advantage over his Pakistani opponent till the very finish.
Nadeem, the Commonwealth Games champion, finished second with a throw of 87.82 metres.
Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic won bronze with a best throw of 86.67 metres.
While Neeraj won again, fellow Indians Kishore Jena (best of 84.77 m) and DP Manu (best of 84.14 m) finished fifth and sixth, respectively.
At the World Championships, India now boasts medals of all colours. This is Neeraj’s second World Championship medal, following a silver last year. Anju Bobby George was India’s last medalist at the prestigious event in 2003. In the women’s long jump, she took bronze.
Haryana and Punjab chief ministers have all praised Neeraj Chopra.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also congratulated Neeraj Chopra on his gold medal win. Khattar stated that Chopra has once again made history and given everyone pride.
“My heartfelt congratulations to India’s shining star, @Neeraj_chopra1, for becoming the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships – breaking records with a spectacular javelin throw of 88.17 metres!” “We are all very proud of you!” Khattar said on X.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also congratulated Chopra on his gold medal achievement.
ਬੁੱਢਾਪੈਸਟ ‘ਚ ਚੱਲ ਰਹੀ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਅਥਲੈਟਿਕ ਚੈਪੀਅਨਸ਼ਿਪ ‘ਚ ਭਾਰਤ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਨੀਰਜ ਚੋਪੜਾ ਨੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਰਚ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ…ਨੀਰਜ ਨੇ 88.17 ਮੀਟਰ ਦੂਰ ਨੇਜਾ ਸੁੱਟ ਕੇ ਸੋਨ ਤਮਗਾ ਭਾਰਤ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ…ਦੇਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਰਜ ‘ਤੇ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਮਾਣ ਹੈ …
ਚੱਕਦੇ ਇੰਡੀਆ.. pic.twitter.com/17OGvy0Cz1
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) August 28, 2023
“In the present World Athletics Championships in Budapest, India’s Neeraj Chopra has written history…Neeraj won the gold medal for India by throwing the javelin 88.17 metres…Neeraj is always a source of pride for the country. “Chak de India,” Mann said on X in Punjabi.
