Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win Olympic Gold in Athletics

August 7, 2021 Sports

New Delhi: The 23-year-old Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra created history by winning a Gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at Tokyo Olympics 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 Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, and an absolutely ecstatic India congratulated Neeraj Chopra for making India proud.

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)