NEW DELHI: The whole nation erupted in joy as its golden boy in Athletics, Neeraj Chopra, once again came forth to save India's face while competing among the world's best athletes.
Hosted in Budapest, Hungary, this event had not witnessed India securing any medal before Chopra rose to the occasion and matched the heightened expectations.
After failing to come up with a valid throw on his first attempt, Chopra hit the 88.17 mark on his second try, securing India's first medal in this ongoing World Athletics Championships.
Following his second-place finish in the same competition last year, the 25-year-old star javelin thrower won his first gold medal in the World Championships, becoming only the second athlete after Abhinav Bindra to be crowned both Olympic and World champion.
1/10:Neeraj Chopra wins India's first World Championships gold
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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 ImagesThe gold medal for Chopra at this stage is bound to give India a huge boost ahead of the Asian Games, which is set to begin on September 23 in Hangzhou, China. On the back of this grand accomplishment, the headline-marker has been showered with plaudits, with prominent personalities, including the President and Prime Minister of the country, celebrating the remarkable feat on social media.
While penning a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Droupadi Murmu, President of India, acknowledged that the gold medal 'will inspire millions of our youth'.
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, hailed Chopra as a mark of 'excellence'.
Indian cricket stars such as Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag also heaped praise on the athlete. While Gambhir lauded the Paris-bound star as a 'diamond', Sehwag saluted the achievement as the continuation of the 'mega run'.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also had his say on Chopra's medal win.
Actor Kay Kay Menon and sports minister Anurag Thakur also matched the nation's general mood while trumpeting India's first media in the World Championships.
One-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra congratulated Chopra while calling him 'an inspiration to all'.
Former sports minister of India, Kiren Rijiju was also quick to congratulate Chopra.
Indian wrestler and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, Yogeshwar Dutt penned his thoughts on Chopra's first gold medal in the 2023 World Championships.
One of the most coveted names in women's hockey in India, Rani Rampal extended her best wishes.
