Neeraj Chopra has become only the second Indian and first male track & field athlete to win a medal in the World Championships. PM Modi congratulated him and said this is a special moment for Indian sports.
India’s Neeraj Chopra scripted history again by winning a silver medal at the World Athletics Championship in Eugene, US. He has become only the second Indian and first male track & field athlete to win a medal in the World Championships.
India’s legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George had clinched a bronze medal in the 2003 edition in Paris. She is the first Indian to win a medal in the World Championships.
The 24 year old Neeraj Chopra clinched silver medal with a best throw of 88.13m, behind only gold medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada, who produced his best throw of 90.54m. The Olympic silver winner Jakub Vadlejch of Czech Republic won the bronze medal with a best throw of 88.09m.
In the World Athletics Championship final, Neeraj Chopra began with a foul throw, following 82.39m and 86.37m. He was at 4th position after three rounds. He got his rhythm back with the fourth and best throw of 88.13m, his fourth career-best effort. His fourth throw took him to second place and he remained there till the end. His fifth and sixth throws were foul.
Earlier in the qualification round, Chopra had topped the Group A by sending his spear to 88.39m, his third career-best throw. He qualified for the final at second place behind Anderson Peters, who had topped the Group B with an effort of 89.91m.
The other Indian 21-year-old Rohit Yadav finished at 10th by producing his best effort of 78.72m. In the qualification round, he had finished at 11th with a best throw of 80.42m.
Neeraj Chopra is only the second Indian and first athlete to has won a gold medal in the Olympics for India. Last year in the Tokyo Olympics, he clinched a historic gold medal. Before him, shooter Abhinav Bindra had won the gold medal for India in 2008 Beijing Olympics.
PM Narendra Modi congratulated Neeraj Chopra
Prime minister Narendra Modi congratulated Neeraj Chopra and said this is a special moment for Indian sports.
“A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes! Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra on winning a historic Silver medal at the WorldChampionships. This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his upcoming endeavours,” PM Modi tweeted.
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