Celebrations break out at Neeraj Chopra's Panipat home; Haryana and Punjab CMs all praise for javelin star's gold win
Panipat, August 28: Family members of India's renowned javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra erupted in joy as he delivered yet another remarkable spear-wielding performance, securing the nation's inaugural gold medal at the esteemed World Athletics Championships in Budapest on Sunday.
Radiating in his son's victorious achievement, Neeraj's father, Satish Kumar, said, "This is a moment of delight and festivity, not only for our family, but also for the entire village and the nation. He has brought immense happiness to the country."
Bhim Chopra, the uncle of the celebrated Indian javelin thrower, also shared his joy by stating, "The entire nation is celebrating this moment. It's an immensely proud occasion for the country. We'll hold our celebrations once Neeraj returns; he's currently engaged in a busy schedule."
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India's golden boy at the 2020 Olympic Summer Olympics, Neeraj scripted history again in Budapest on Monday, besting arch-rival from Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem, to win the country's first-ever gold medal in the World Athletics Championships. He edged out his Pakistani rival by a margin of less than a metre in the final of the men's javelin throw event to win gold.
The 25-year-old from Haryana recorded a best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt and managed to hold his lead over his Pakistani rival till the very end.
Nadeem, the Commonwealth Games champion, bagged a silver medal with a throw of 87.82 metres.
Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch secured the bronze with the best throw of 86.67 m.
While Neeraj topped the tally yet again, fellow Indians Kishore Jena (best of 84.77 m) DP Manu (best of 84.14 m) finished fifth and sixth respectively.
India now has medals of all colours at the World Championships. This is Neeraj's second medal at the World Championships after he secured a silver last year. India's last medalist at the prestigious event was Anju Bobby George in 2003. She won bronze in the women's long jump.
Haryana and Punjab CMs all praise for Neeraj Chopra
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also praised Neeraj Chopra for securing the gold medal. Khattar stated that Chopra had once again made history and brought pride to everyone.
"My heartiest congratulations to India's shining star@Neeraj_chopra1, who has created history yet again by becoming the first Indian athlete to win the gold medal at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships - breaking records with a spectacular javelin throw of 88.17 meters! We are all extremely proud of you!," Khattar said on X.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, too, hailed Chopra for winning the gold medal.
"India's Neeraj Chopra has scripted history in the ongoing World Athletics Championships at Budapest…Neeraj won the gold medal for India by throwing the javelin at a distance of 88.17 meters…the country is always proud of Neeraj. Chak de India," Mann tweeted in Punjabi on X.
ਬੁੱਢਾਪੈਸਟ ‘ਚ ਚੱਲ ਰਹੀ ਵਿਸ਼ਵ ਅਥਲੈਟਿਕ ਚੈਪੀਅਨਸ਼ਿਪ ‘ਚ ਭਾਰਤ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਨੀਰਜ ਚੋਪੜਾ ਨੇ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਰਚ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਹੈ…ਨੀਰਜ ਨੇ 88.17 ਮੀਟਰ ਦੂਰ ਨੇਜਾ ਸੁੱਟ ਕੇ ਸੋਨ ਤਮਗਾ ਭਾਰਤ ਦੇ ਨਾਮ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ…ਦੇਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਨੀਰਜ ‘ਤੇ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਮਾਣ ਹੈ …
ਚੱਕਦੇ ਇੰਡੀਆ.. pic.twitter.com/17OGvy0Cz1 — Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) August 28, 2023
My heartiest congratulations to India's shining star @Neeraj_chopra1, who has created history yet again by becoming the first Indian athlete to win the gold medal at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships - breaking records with a spectacular javelin throw of 88.17 meters! We are all… pic.twitter.com/Ss3ezvnpNA — Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) August 27, 2023
- With inputs from agencies
