Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win Olympic Gold in Athletics

New Delhi, The 23-year-old Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra created history by wining Gold medal in men’s javelin throw at Tokyo Olympic today. Chopra gave his best throw of 87.58 to bag the gold medal.

With this, he has become the first Indian athlete to win gold ever and India’s second ever individual Olympic gold medalist after shooter Abhinav Bindra, who bagged gold in Beijing 2008. With this outstanding performance, Neeraj also took India’s medal haul to seven in the Tokyo Olympics – the country’s highest ever, beating the tally of six medals won at the London Games in 2012.

President Shri Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur and an absolutely ecstatic India congratulated Neeraj Chopra for making India proud.

President Sri Ram Nath Kovind congratulated Neeraj Chopra and said, your feat will inspire our youth. Unprecedented win by Neeraj Chopra! Your javelin gold breaks barriers and creates history. You bring home first-ever track and field medal to India in your first Olympics. Your feat will inspire our youth. India is elated! Heartiest congratulations,” the President tweeted.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated Neeraj for outstanding performance and tweeted, “History has been scripted at Tokyo! What Neeraj Chopra has achieved today will be remembered forever. The young Neeraj has done exceptionally well. He played with remarkable passion and showed unparalleled grit. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold.”

Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur shared a clip of him watching the winning moment on Twitter with congratulation message. “NEERAJ CHOPRA, India’s Golden Boy! Your superbly soaring throw deserves a Billion Cheers! Your name will be etched in the history books with golden letters #Tokyo2020.” Sports Minister tweeted.