Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

Neeraj Chopra first Indian track and field athlete being hailed as India's Golden Boy after winning a gold medal at Olympics

Darpan News Desk IANS, 07 Aug, 2021 09:53 AM
  • Neeraj Chopra first Indian track and field athlete being hailed as India's Golden Boy after winning a gold medal at Olympics

Tokyo, Aug 7 (IANS) Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Saturday fetched India its first-ever gold medal in athletics at the Olympics.

With a best throw of 87.58 metres in the men's javelin throw final, Chopra came first, making him the second-ever Indian, after shooter Abhinav Bindra in 2008, to win an individual Olympic gold medal.

It was India's seventh medal at the Tokyo Olympics, which means they have surpassed their previous best tally of six at London 2012.

Politicians, sportsman, and others took to Twitter to congratulate the 23-year-old for a stupendous showing at the Olympic Stadium. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind shared their joy over his victory. Punjab's Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also congratulated him but also has set aside a prize of Rs 2 Crores for him.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced a cash reward of Rs 6 crore and a government job for Neeraj Chopra for winning India's first Olympic gold medal in athletics.

Boxer MC Mary Kom, a bronze medallist in 2012 London Olympics tweeted

Sprinter PT Usha thanked with a lot of enthusiasm on completing her unfinished vision.

Golfer Jeev Milka Singh felt a tremendous appreciation for not only his win but the fact that he acknowledged his late father sprinter Milka Singh.

Shooter Gagan Narang, who won bronze medal in London in 2012 tweeted.

India women's cricketer Mithali Raj tweeted

Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar shared his happiness on the victory in a Twitter post.

Actress Priyanka Chopra also took to Twitter and shared her excitement over his win.

Actress Preity Zinta called it an iconic day with the National Anthem playing at the Olympics was something unforgettable.

Randeep Hooda in his own unique way commented on his win in Haryanvi style.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also joined in on congratulating the athlete.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also shared words of encouragement on Twitter.

Khandra village in Haryana's Panipat district erupted into celebrations when the news flashed that its talented son, Subedar Neeraj Chopra, VSM, had become the first Indian track and field athlete to win a medal (that too a gold) at the Olympics since the time India officially gained entry into the Games in 1928. 

Friends and fans started gathering around the golden boy's family home, where 19 members if his extended family live, as soon as news spread that he had secured his place in the final of the javelin thrown event in Tokyo. His family said the entire village and even people from neighbouring villages had been watching his performance for the past few days on television sets installed at public places.

As the news of his victory was televised, people gathered at his residence, distributed sweets and danced to the tunes of Punjabi songs. 'Chak de India' slogans rent the village air when the 'golden news' was flashed on television.

His emotional father Satish Kumar, a farmer, said, "I feel elated that my son brought glory to the country." He then added, brimming over with fatherly pride: "Yes, we were confident from day one that he will bring a gold medal for the country." Chopra's elated mother, Saroj Devi, said the entire village would extend a grand welcome to her son on his return to his native village.

Neeraj's uncle Bhim Chopra said not just the family but the entire village watched his marvelous performance to reach the podium.

Interestingly, India's two gold medal-winning Olympians have a Chandigarh connection -- Neeraj Chopra and shooter Abhinav Bindra. The shooter, who won the gold in Beijing in 2008, grew up in the Chandigarh suburb Zirakpur and Chopra studied at the DAV College, Sector 10, Chandigarh.

MORE Sports ARTICLES

Mohammed Ahmed of Canada bags a silver medal at the Olympics in 5000m track event

Mohammed Ahmed of Canada bags a silver medal at the Olympics in 5000m track event
His official finish time was 12:58.61. Ahmed gave Canada its first Olympic medal ever in a men’s long distance track event.

Mohammed Ahmed of Canada bags a silver medal at the Olympics in 5000m track event

Decathlon gold medallist Andre De Grasse secures another Bronze medal for Canada in the men's 4×100-metre relay

Decathlon gold medallist Andre De Grasse secures another Bronze medal for Canada in the men's 4×100-metre relay
Canada’s team of Andre De Grasse, Aaron Brown, Jerome Blake, and Brendon Rodney has won bronze in the men’s 4×100-metre relay.        

Decathlon gold medallist Andre De Grasse secures another Bronze medal for Canada in the men's 4×100-metre relay

Canadian women's soccer team wins gold medal at the Olympics against Sweden

Canadian women's soccer team wins gold medal at the Olympics against Sweden
Julia Grosso scored the winning goal to the end. Sweden’s Stina Blackstenius scored in the 34th minute but Jessie Fleming took advantage from the penalty spot in the 67th minute

Canadian women's soccer team wins gold medal at the Olympics against Sweden

Evan Dunfee gives Canada its first ever Olympic medal in the 50km race walk, the longest athletics event

Evan Dunfee gives Canada its first ever Olympic medal in the 50km race walk, the longest athletics event
Five years after he came within seconds of the Olympic podium, Evan Dunfee took that historic step for Canada, winning bronze at Tokyo 2020.

Evan Dunfee gives Canada its first ever Olympic medal in the 50km race walk, the longest athletics event

Canadian Damian Warner wins gold in decathlon at Tokyo Olympics, earns title of world's greatest athlete

Canadian Damian Warner wins gold in decathlon at Tokyo Olympics, earns title of world's greatest athlete
The highest number of medals won by Canada til date were in 1984 when Canada claimed 44 gold medals.  Canada has a total of 18 medals so far and this medal tally has taken place after almost 3 decades. 

Canadian Damian Warner wins gold in decathlon at Tokyo Olympics, earns title of world's greatest athlete

Olympics: Canada's Andre De Grasse wins men's 200m title

Olympics: Canada's Andre De Grasse wins men's 200m title
Grasse won the 200m race with a national record of 19.62 seconds. He had come second in this event behind Usain Bolt of Jamaica at Rio 2016.

Olympics: Canada's Andre De Grasse wins men's 200m title

PrevNext