“This Medal Will Change Athletics in India for the Better,” Neeraj Chopra after Winning Historic Gold Medal in Javelin at Tokyo Olympics
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Neeraj Chopra
Neeraj Chopra created history on the penultimate day of Tokyo Olympics, by becoming the first Indian to not only win a medal in athletics at the Olympics, but also became the first Indian to win a gold in athletics and only the second Individual to win a gold medal for India.
Chopra qualified for the finals of the javelin throw in first place, with a throw of 86.65m. The finals were a dream for him, as he started with a massive throw of 87.03m. He bettered his throw in the second attempt and with a massive effort of 87.58m. The gold medal was practically his after that, since Johannes Vetter, a hot favourite, missed out on the second round of the finals. Chopra was too far ahead for anyone else to catch, as he found himself creating history.
Chopra clinched the gold medal in javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics, and the whole of India lit up. It was a long wait for a gold medal, and it came from a young 23 year old, who scripted history for India.
“It is still unbelievable I won gold,” Neeraj Chopra after winning Historic Bronze Medal
Neeraj Chopra’s journey to the Olympics has not been an easy one. Touching on that he told DD News in a post performance interview, “The injury was hard for me and it took time for me to make a comeback. I wanted to play after my surgery as I felt I was losing out on medals. Anil sir advised me against it and instead I put all my efforts after the surgery to focus on the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, and it paid off.”
Chopra said that he was in his zone today, and he threw freely, which is what led to the massive throw which won him the gold. Chopra thanked the Federation and his coaches who helped him through the journey. He also dedicated his medals to the greats of Indian athletics such and the late Milkha Singh and PT Usha.
“We have won gold medals before in hockey and shooting, but Indian athletics has fallen just a whisker short in the past. The efforts of the like of PT Usha and Milkha Singh over the years had led to this moment. This medal will make a difference for athletics in India, for the better.”
Also read: History! Record galore for Neeraj Chopra with Gold medal at Tokyo Olympics
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Saivee Phatak
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