In a groundbreaking triumph, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has once again etched his name in history as he clinched India’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships. With a colossal throw of 88.17 meters in the men’s javelin final, Chopra not only secured the top spot but also marked a monumental achievement on the global sports stage.
This landmark victory witnessed a remarkable display by three Indian athletes, as Kishore Jena (84.77m) and DP Manu (84.14m) secured the fifth and sixth positions respectively. This unprecedented feat marked the first time that three Indian athletes have secured top-eight finishes in a single event at the World Championships.
Chopra’s remarkable journey to victory saw him achieving his standout throw during his second attempt. His performance displayed a consistent growth, with distances of 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m, and 83.98m, following a foul start.
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, reigning Commonwealth Games champion, secured the silver with a season’s best throw of 87.82m, while Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic earned the bronze.
Neeraj Chopra’s triumph has elevated him to the elite status of being the second Indian to simultaneously hold both Olympic and World Championships titles, following in the footsteps of legendary shooter Abhinav Bindra. Bindra achieved this distinction by winning the World Championships title at 23 and the Olympic gold at 25.
Chopra’s already remarkable journey began with his historic gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and he continued to shine with a silver at the 2022 World Championships. This feat added to India’s athletic legacy, with iconic long jumper Anju Bobby George’s bronze win in the 2003 World Championships.
In response to Chopra’s historic victory, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to offer their heartfelt congratulations. The President’s tweet acknowledged Chopra’s golden feat, hailing him as an inspiration for the youth. Prime Minister Modi praised Chopra’s excellence and dedication, labeling him a symbol of unparalleled achievement in the world of sports.
Chopra’s victory also marked his inclusion in an exclusive list of javelin throwers who have simultaneously held both Olympic and World Championships titles, joining the ranks of Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway.
With this monumental win, Neeraj Chopra has solidified his status as an athlete of unparalleled distinction, having secured every major title in his sport. His journey encompasses gold medals in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, along with individual Diamond League Meeting titles and the Diamond League champion’s trophy. Chopra’s prowess extends from his junior world championship victory to his conquest at the Asian Championships, ultimately culminating in this historic triumph on the world stage.
