Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra has achieved a historic milestone by winning the gold medal in javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary. On Sunday night, he hurled the javelin to a distance of 88.17 meters in the final, securing his place in history as the first Indian to win a gold medal at the event.
Chopra’s journey to victory was not without challenges. He began the competition with a foul, but he quickly rose to the top spot with his second throw. Maintaining his lead throughout the event, he emerged as the champion.
For his remarkable achievement, Neeraj Chopra was awarded a cash prize of $70,000 (approximately ₹58 lakh). This victory is a significant moment for both Chopra and India, as he becomes a trailblazer in the field of athletics.
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem secured the silver medal with a throw of 87.82 meters, while Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic earned the bronze medal with a throw of 86.67 meters. Arshad Nadeem received a cash award of $35,000, while Vadlejch was awarded $22,000.
The World Athletics Championships also saw notable performances by other Indian athletes. Kishore Jena and DP Manu claimed the fifth and sixth spots, respectively, with throws of 84.77 meters and 84.14 meters.
With this gold medal, Indian athletes have won a total of three medals at the World Athletics Championships. Neeraj Chopra’s impressive achievements include not only the recent gold medal but also a silver medal in the 2022 edition of the championships.
In response to his victory, Neeraj Chopra expressed his pride in the Indian athletes’ performances and their efforts to bring hope to the nation. He also encouraged fellow athletes who may not have achieved their desired outcomes to learn from their experiences and strive for improvement.
Neeraj Chopra’s historic win at the World Athletics Championships adds to his growing list of accolades, including his status as the first Indian Olympic track and field gold medalist in the Tokyo Games of 2021.