Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win Olympic Gold in Athletics, seventh medal for India in Tokyo Olympics- the country’s highest ever
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.
Neeraj Chopra is also a Naib Subedar with 4 Rajputana Rifles in the Indian Army. Neeraj was selected in the Indian Army as a junior commissioned officer (JCO) in 2017. Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and top brass of Indian Army congratulated Neeraj Chopra for winning the gold medal in Tokyo Olympics.
Neeraj Chopra Personal Details:
Event: Men’s Javelin Throw
Date of Birth: December 24, 1997
Home location: Panipat, Haryana
Training Base: SAI NSNIS Patiala
Current Training Base: Uppsala, Sweden
National Coach: Dr. Klaus Bartoneitz
An overweight 12-year-old boy from Haryana’s Khandra village, who was persistently persuaded by his family members to take up sports. He ultimately gave in to all the badgering and began training at the Shivaji Stadium in Panipat. That was until he saw a few seniors throwing javelins at the stadium and decided to try his luck at javelin throw. Fortunately for him, that sport truly captured his fancy as he began training rigorously to get into better shape. He grew up to become India’s first ever javelin thrower to win a gold medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 Asian Games.
Achievements
– Gold Medal, Asian Games 2018
– Gold Medal, Commonwealth Games 2018
– Gold Medal, Asian Athletics Championships 2017
– Gold Medal, World U-20 Athletics Championships 2016
– Gold Medal, South Asian Games 2016
– Silver Medal, Asian Junior Championships 2016
– Current National Record Holder (88.07m – 2021)
– Current World Junior Record Holder (86.48m – 2016)
Key Govt. Interventions
– Visa Support Letter for training and competition in Europe
– Financial assistance towards procurement of sports gear and recovery equipment
– Hiring of bio-mechanist expert cum coach for his training at National Coaching Camp and Foreign Exposure
– Injury management and rehabilitation along with Federation and NGO
– Financial assistance towards 26 International Competitions in the current Olympic Cycle
Funding (2016 post Rio – present)
TOPS: Rs. 52,65,388 approx.
ACTC: Rs. 1,29,26,590 approx.
TOTAL: Rs. 1,81,91,978 approx.
Details of Coaches:
a) Grassroot Level:Mr. Jai Chaudhary
b) Development Level: Late Mr. Garry Calvert and Mr. Uwe Hohn
c) Elite Level:Dr. Klaus Bartoneitz