NEW DELHI: Beaming with joy after becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, a satisfied Neeraj Chopra thanked all countrymen for their unflinching support saying that the medal is for the whole of India.
"I would like to thank every Indian, because they are staying up all night to support me. This medal is for them. I became an Olympic champion first, and now, I am a world champion. We (Indians) can do anything. Just keep working hard," Neeraj said.
Chopra added a javelin world title to his Olympic gold, recording a best throw of 88.17m on Sunday in Budapest.
The 25-year-old took silver last year but he stamped his mark on the final early on with his winning throw coming in the second round.
1/10:Neeraj Chopra wins India's first World Championships gold
Getty Images
2/10:Neeraj Chopra
<p>Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships on Sunday in Budapest. </p>Getty Images
3/10:India vs Pakistan
<p>Neeraj Chopra pipped Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem in the javelin final with an 88.17 metre effort. </p>Getty Images
4/10:World Champion
<p>Neeraj Chopra won Olympic gold in Tokyo but managed only a silver at the worlds in Eugene last year. </p>Getty Images
5/10:Arshad Nadeem
<p>Pakistan's Nadeem, coming back from elbow surgery and a knee injury, produced his season's best effort of 87.82 on his third attempt to win the silver medal. </p>Reuters
6/10:Jakub Vadlejch
<p>Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch took the bronze with 86.67. </p>Getty Images
7/10:Season-best throw
<p>Neeraj Chopra needed only one attempt in the qualification round to lead the field with a season-best 88.77 metres. </p>Reuters
8/10:Deliberate foul
<p>But the Indian was unhappy with his first effort in the final, deliberately stepping over the line for a foul. </p>AP
9/10:Trademark fashion
<p>Neeraj Chopra then soared into the lead on his second attempt, turning his back and celebrating in trademark fashion with his arms aloft while pointing at the sky immediately after his throw, knowing it was good. </p>Getty Images
10/10:Nadeem second
<p>Nadeem was competing in his first event of the year and as soon as the javelin landed on his third attempt, he broke into a wide grin as he moved up to second. </p>Getty ImagesPakistan's Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem took silver with a throw of 87.82m with the Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch taking the bronze in 86.67m.
The flamboyant Chopra -- one of three Indians to reach the final -- fell to the ground after his final throw and kissed the surface before charging towards the crowd.
Germany's Julian Weber finished fourth and held his hands to his face in disappointment, as his country finished the championships without a medal.
"This was great. After the Olympic gold I really wanted to win the world championships. I just wanted to throw further. This is brilliant for the national team but it was my dream to win gold at the world championships," Chopra said.
"This has been a great championships for India and I am proud to bring another title to my country. I don't think I am the best thrower here. I wanted to throw more tonight.
"I wanted to throw more than 90m tonight but it needs all parts of the puzzle to be there. I couldn't put it all together this evening. Maybe next time."
