Tokyo Olympics 2020: Neeraj Chopra has won GOLD in men's javelin throw at Olympic Games. 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.
In the finals, he threw his best 87.58m (in the second of six attempts).
In his very first attempt today, Chopra topped the list with throw of 87.03m, followed by Weber Julian (85.30) of Germany, Vadlejch Jakub (83.98) of Czech Republic, Vetter Johannes (82.52m) of Germany and Katkavets Aliaksei (82.49) of Belarus.
In the second round, Chopra bettered his first score with 87.58m — highest in the finals. However, in the third round, he finished at 76.79 m. His score in second attempts could not be achieved by competitors. Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch won silver with 86.67m and Vitezslav Vesely claimed bronze with 85.44m.
WATCH how history was made for India in Tokyo Olympics
The big relief came for India when gold medal favourite and 2017 world champion Vetter Johannes was out of the game after the third round, with his final best 82.52m.
Vetter had thrown seven times over 90m between April and June, including a season's best of 96.29m. But in the finals, he finished down in ninth. After losing in the finals, Vetter said that it was a tough competition and that he was having problems not over-running his launch on the surface.
"If you watch the throws again, you can see it's not the right surface for me. It's a good surface for all the runners, for all the nice world records and Olympic records on the track, but not for a javelin thrower like me. So it really makes me sad," he said.
With this, India have won their first Gold at Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj Chopra has become the first Indian to bag a gold medal in track and field in 100 years. He is now the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win a gold medal in individual events.
Bindra today hailed Neeraj for winning gold for the country. "And Gold it is for @Neeraj_chopra1. Take a bow, young man ! You have fulfilled a nation's dream. Thank you! Also, welcome to the club - a much needed addition! Extremely proud. I am so delighted for you," he wrote on Twitter.
"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," President Ram Nath Kovind said on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that a "history has been scripted at Tokyo!"
"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," he wrote on Twitter.
Haryana CM ML Khattar has announced ₹6 crore and a class I category job for Neeraj Chopra. "We will be building a Centre of Excellence for athletes in Panchkula, where he will be the head if he wants. He will be given a plot with 50% concession, like other players," he said.
In March 2017, Chopra was appointed a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in Indian Army. This came after Chopra had set a new junior record at the 2016 IAAF World U-20 Championship in Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Neeraj Chopra's father said he was happy to see that India's dream has been fulfilled through the efforts of his son. "After seeing the level of his training, we were sure of this medal," he said.
This season, until today, India could not win any gold despite high hopes from some of the champions including Mary Kom and PV Sindhu. But that changed today with Chopra's 'golden throw'.
Chopra kept India's hopes alive by earning a direct entry into the finals as he sent the spear well past the qualifying mark of 83.50m in his first attempt in qualifying round on 4th August.
Competing in his first Olympics, he took just a few seconds to make the final round. He topped the Group A contest as well as the two qualifications rounds.
Chopra's performance in the qualifying round was considered among the best performances by an Indian in the Olympics, as he finished ahead of Vetter, who struggled in his first two throws before crossing the automatic qualification mark with a 85.64m final throw. He was lying at a seventh position after his first two throws but eventually qualified for the final at second overall behind Chopra.
Pakistan's Nadeem had topped Group B to earn an automatic qualification to the finals with a second round throw of 85.16m. But in finals, Nadeem threw his best of 84.62m. He had won a bronze medal when Chopra clinched gold in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. Nadeem had qualified for the finals at overall third behind Chopra and Vetter.
Those who touch 83.50m mark or the 12 best performers qualify for the finals.
Neeraj Chopra's 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)
(With inputs from PTI)
