Neeraj Chopra, also known as the “SPEARMAN” of India creates history by becoming the only second Indian individual athlete to win SILVER MEDAL for INDIA in javelin throw at the World Athletics Championship. He won the silver with a clutch 88.13m throw on his fourth attempt. He ended the 19-year long wait as an Indian to win a medal at the World Athletics Championship. The previous record was by Anju Bobby George ( Bronze) in 2003. Anderson Peters of Grenada, the reigning World Champion won the Gold with a clutch 90.54m in the final hurl and Jakub Vadlejch from Czech Republic bagged the Bronze with a clutch 88.09m throw.
Neeraj had fouled in his first attempt after stepping over the scratch line and had them come up with a below-par effort of 82.39m. He further improved to 86.37m in the second attempt but was still out of the medal contention placed at fourth in the 12-man FINALE. However, he calmed down his frayed nerves and threw the spear to a distance of 88.13m to move to the second position behind Anderson.
NEERAJ CHOPRA’s Achievements:
24 year old, Neeraj Chopra, was born on 24th December, 1997 in Khandra, Haryana is an Indian track and field athlete who is the reigning Olympic Champion in Javelin Throw.
He is the first Asian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in the men’s javelin throw. He is also a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Indian Army.
He has created history with many of his firsts, which include
- Chopra is the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics,
- He is the first Indian athlete to achieve a world record by winning gold in the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships held in Poland.
- He won Gold in 2017 Asian Athletics Championship.
- He is the first Indian to win a gold medal in javelin throw at the Commonwealth games held in 2018 with season’s best effort of 86.47 metres, in 2018.
- He broke the national record at the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 87.43 metres
- He won a gold medal by throwing at a distance of 88.06 metres in 2018 Asian games and bettered his own national record, with this he became first Indian to win gold in javelin throw at the Asian games.
- Chopra won gold medal in Tokya Olympics held in Japan in 2021, making him the first Indian Olympian to win a gold medal in athletics.
- At the Paavo Nurmi Games held in Finland, Chopra won the silver medal with a new personal best and national record of 89.30m.
- In 2022, Chopra scripted history by winning a silver medal at the World Athletics Championship, becoming only the second Indian athlete to win a medal at the World Athletics Championship.
Struggled a bit with the conditions, but extremely happy to win a 🥈medal for India at the #WCHOregon22. Congratulations to Anderson Peters and Jakub Vadlejch on an incredible competition.
Thank you to everyone at home and at Hayward Field for your support. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/co2mGrx3Em
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) July 25, 2022
The ‘Spearman’ also known as the India’s Golden boy is creating history with his best performances at the age of 24 years. Hopefully in the coming years he continues performing the same way and achieve zenith heights. We wish him a great future ahead.