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regular-article-logo Sunday, 12 May 2024

Twitter explodes as Neeraj Chopra wins India its first Tokyo Olympics Gold

'What he has achieved today will be remembered forever'

Our Bureau New Delhi Published 07.08.21, 06:43 PM
Neeraj Chopra at Tokyo on Saturday.

Neeraj Chopra at Tokyo on Saturday. Twitter

Congratulatory messages dropped in from everywhere as 23-year-old javelin star Neeraj Chopra scripted history by bringing India its first Gold medal in athletics to end India's 100-year wait for a track and field medal in the Olympics.

A farmer's son from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana, Neeraj produced a second round throw of 87.58m in the finals to stun the athletics world.

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Expressing happiness over the feat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "History has been scripted at Tokyo! What
@Neeraj_chopra1 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."

President Ram Nath Kovind also joined in to extend his greetings to the star javelin thrower. "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," he wrote on Twitter.

"What an incredible achievement! @Neeraj_chopra1 scripted history & brought glory to India by winning the Gold medal in the Javelin throw at Tokyo Olympics," Vice President Venkaiah Naidu tweeted from his handle.

"His outstanding feat has ended a long wait by India for an Olympic medal in track & field events," he added.

Sports minister Anurag Thakur said the "Golden Boy's" feat deserves a billion cheers.

"India’s Golden Boy! India’s Olympic History has been scripted! Your superbly soaring throw deserves a Billion Cheers! Your name will be etched in the history books with golden letters," he wrote on Twitter and posted a video of the Games.


Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who earlier handled the sports portfolio, remembered late sprinter Milkha Singh.

With his fifth career best throw, Chopra has done what the likes of late Milkha Singh and P T Usha could not do in 1960 and 1984 editions.

"Today is truly a momentous day for Indian athletics and for the country. Nothing is bigger than an Olympic medal, that too a gold. We have waited for long but finally achieved our goal," Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla.

"I hope Neeraj's gold will change the landscape and profile of athletics in the country and our standing in the world."

No Indian has won a medal in athletics since the country started taking part in the Games in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium.

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