Tokyo, Japan, August 7, 2021: Neeraj Chopra hurled himself into Olympic history by winning the men's javelin at Tokyo Olympic Stadium on Saturday night. It was the first gold medal in track and field for India in the history of the Olympics.
The 23-year-old farmer’s son from Khandra village in Haryana produced a second-round throw of 87.58 metres in the final to stun the athletics world and end India’s 121-year wait for a track and field medal in the Olympics.
Chopra’s historic athletics gold medal is only India’s second ever individual Olympic gold medal after shooter Abhinav Bindra’s triumph at the 2008 Beijing Games.
His golden feat also meant India will finish with its best ever Olympic medal haul of seven – one gold, two silver and four bronze medals – surpassing the previous best haul of six medals achieved in the 2012 London Games.
Czech Republic duo Jakub Vadlejch and former world champion Vitezslav Vesely won silver (86.67) and bronze (85.44) respectively. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem finished fifth with 84.62.
India’s only previous medals in track and field were two silver medals won by Norman Pritchard in the 200m and 200m hurdles at the Paris Games in 1900. The long wait was over with an unruffled Chopra dominating the competition.
The nation’s number one cheerleader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tweeted: “History has been scripted in Tokyo! What @Neeraj_chopra1 has achieved today will be remembered forever.”
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind said: “Unprecedented win by Neeraj Chopra! Your javelin gold breaks barriers and creates history. Your feat will inspire our youth. India is elated.”
It was the Neeraj Chopra show on the last night of action at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. The dashing youngster, who took up the sport so that he could shed weight, qualified for the final 12 with the best throw, and then threw down the gauntlet with his very first attempt of 87.03 in the final round. On his second attempt, he went further with 87.58.
The outstanding victory meant Chopra has a full complement of gold medals having won the top prizes at the 2018 Asian Games and the 2018 Commonwealth Games too.
India’s Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said: “Your superbly soaring throw deserves a billion cheers. Your name will be scripted in the history books with golden letters.”
Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had earlier held the sports portfolio, remembered legendary sprinter Milka Singh, who died in June of Covid complications. Rijiju tweeted: “History has been made, Milka Singh Ji’s wish is fulfilled as India wins first ever Olympic gold medal in athletics.”
Before the Games began, Chopra was quoted by World Athletics as saying: “No matter what happens in Tokyo, Indian throwing has come a long way. I think more and more kids will see what we’re achieving and be inspired to pick up a javelin themselves.”
By winning the gold medal, Chopra's prophetic words are bound to come true.
