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.
History has been scripted at Tokyo! What @Neeraj_chopra1 has achieved today will be remembered forever. The young Neeraj has done exceptionally well. He played with remarkable passion and showed unparalleled grit. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold. #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/2NcGgJvfMS
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2021
Unprecedented win by Neeraj Chopra!Your javelin gold breaks barriers and creates history. You bring home first ever track and field medal to India in your first Olympics. Your feat will inspire our youth. India is elated! Heartiest congratulations!
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2021
Neeraj Chopra, who is serving the @adgpi has brought glory to the nation & scripted his name in history by winning India’s first Olympic Gold in athletics. It’s our honour to announce a special cash reward of Rs. 2 Cr for him. A proud moment for all Indians & our Armed Forces. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/oGqgJbMKuq
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 7, 2021
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
Historic Athletic Gold medal. Big Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 for winning gold medal for India #Tokyo2020 you make us all proud. #Cheer4India
— M C Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) August 7, 2021
Sprinter PT Usha thanked with a lot of enthusiasm on completing her unfinished vision.
Realised my unfinished dream today after 37 years. Thank you my son @Neeraj_chopra1 🇮🇳🥇#Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/CeDBYK9kO9
— P.T. USHA (@PTUshaOfficial) August 7, 2021
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.
Not only did you win us a first-ever athletics gold medal in the #OlympicGames, you even dedicated it to my father.
— Jeev Milkha Singh (@JeevMilkhaSingh) August 7, 2021
The Milkha family is eternally grateful for this honour. pic.twitter.com/0gxgF8mmNQ
Shooter Gagan Narang, who won bronze medal in London in 2012 tweeted.
GOLD This is the tweet. This is the emotion. Thank you Neeraj Chopra for giving us this joy. You have inspired us, you have given us hopes. You are our hero pic.twitter.com/1F7yfe7z40
— Gagan Narang (@gaGunNarang) August 7, 2021
India women's cricketer Mithali Raj tweeted
Yay yay !!! Can’t get over this feeling .. it’s a gold . GOLD !!! Neeraj chopra you have been scripted in history #Olympics2020 pic.twitter.com/6yoWElXO3j
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) August 7, 2021
Bollywood Actor Akshay Kumar shared his happiness on the victory in a Twitter post.
It’s a GOLD 🥇Heartiest Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 on creating history. You’re responsible for a billion tears of joy! Well done #NeerajChopra! #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/EQToUJ6j6C
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 7, 2021
Congratulations Neeraj Chopra on your win at the Tokyo Olympics. More power to you! You’ve made your parents & India 🇮🇳 proud. Can’t tell you how happy I am. This is awesome 👏#NeerajChopra #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/mx45Otodwo
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) August 7, 2021
Actress Priyanka Chopra also took to Twitter and shared her excitement over his win.
Gold!!!! Here’s to creating history. Take it in @Neeraj_chopra1 and congratulations
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) August 7, 2021
You make us proud! 🇮🇳❤️ #NeerajChopra #TeamIndia #Tokyo2020 #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/VWd28jsMOb
Actress Preity Zinta called it an iconic day with the National Anthem playing at the Olympics was something unforgettable.
Hearing the National Anthem at the Olympics was such an emotional & proud moment not just for me but for every Indian. Thank u #NeerajChopra for creating History & for bringing home the GOLD🥇We salute u. Congratulations & God bless. #Tokyo2020 #olympics2020 #Gold #JaiHind #ting pic.twitter.com/aD3qWbGiq1
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) August 7, 2021
Randeep Hooda in his own unique way commented on his win in Haryanvi style.
लठ गाड़ दिया !! Literally 😂😂#NeerajChopra pic.twitter.com/77jwJ5loKL
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) August 7, 2021
Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also joined in on congratulating the athlete.
NEERAJ 🥇 CHOPRA
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2021
India’s 🇮🇳 Golden Boy !
India’s Olympic History has been scripted!
Your superbly soaring throw
deserves a Billion Cheers !
Your name will be etched in the history books with golden letters.#Tokyo2020 @Neeraj_chopra1 pic.twitter.com/Xe6OYlCedq
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also shared words of encouragement on Twitter.
Congratulations to India’s ace Javelin Thrower, @Neeraj_chopra1 for winning the prestigious Track and Field medal for the first time in the history of Independent India. Gold medal in the Javelin throw event at the #Olympics is unprecedented. Proud of him for creating history!
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 7, 2021
The Golden victory of Subedar Neeraj Chopra at the Olympic brings laurels for the Indian Army. He performed like a true soldier at the Olympics. It is indeed a historic and proud moment for the entire country including the Indian Armed Forces! Many congratulations to him! pic.twitter.com/nMfwXT9Tfy
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 7, 2021
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.