Not just Gold: Neeraj’s feat among 10 “magical moments”, says WA
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Amid India’s celebrations on Neeraj Chopra’s Gold Medal in the just-concluded Tokyo Olympics, came reports on Wednesday that his feat has been among the 10 best in athletics during the Games.
He is now the most followed track and field athlete in the world.
India’s newest national hero, men’s javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s historic feat has been listed as one of the 10 “magical moments” of track and field in the Tokyo Olympics by World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport of athletics.
The 23-year-sensation, Subedar Neeraj Chopra of the Indian Army, clinched India’s maiden Olympic Gold Medal in athletics with the best javelin throw of 87.58 meters on Saturday (August 7) to become only the second Indian to win an individual gold in the prestigious Games.
Earlier, Abhinav Bindra had won gold in men’s 10-meter air rifle in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Chopra has dedicated his win to sprinters Milkha Singh and P. T. Usha, both former Olympians from India.
“Most keen followers of the sport had heard of Neeraj Chopra before the Olympic Games. But after winning the javelin in Tokyo, and in the process becoming India’s first athletics gold medallist in Olympic history, Chopra’s profile sky-rocketed,” World Athletics said on its website.
“He had 143,000 followers before the Olympics, but now has a staggering 3.2 million, making him the most followed track and field athlete in the world, “, it added.
After winning the gold in Tokyo, Chopra had tweeted, “Still processing this feeling. To all of India and beyond, thank you so much for your support and blessings that have helped me reach this stage. This moment will live with me forever.”
So far, Chopra has been showered with gifts and cash awards to the tune of nearly Rs. 14 crores, as other accolades await him. A huge crowd greeted him and other Games medallists upon their return to New Delhi on Monday.
The Tokyo Olympics have seen India’s best performance ever in the Games, with one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.
On Wednesday, Chopra asserted that he will participate in the next Games in Paris, 2024, with more determination.
