Neeraj Chopra Silver Medal: PM Modi, Abhinav Bindra Hail Historic Feat
New Delhi: Tokyo Olympics javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra on Sunday (IST) ended India’s 19-year-long wait for a medal at the World Athletics Championships after he clinched the silver medal at the 2022 meet with historic throw of 88.13m.
This was India’s second medal at the World Championships and the first podium finish since Anju Bobby George won a bronze medal in long jump at Paris in 2003.
Chopra’s best effort of 88.13m in the final at the Hayward Field was short of Anderson Peters’ gold medal-winning mark of 90.54m while Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch won the bronze with 88.09m.
The 24-year old Indian, who made the cut for the Oregon 2022 men’s javelin throw final courtesy an 88.39m mark in the qualification, made a disappointing start with a foul. On the other hand, reigning champion Peters of Grenada set the benchmark high with a 90.21m attempt in his first throw of the final.
Here is how twitter wishes India’s star player for his Maiden Silver Medal in World Athletics Championship:
A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes!
Congratulations to @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning a historic Silver medal at the #WorldChampionships. This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his upcoming endeavours. https://t.co/odm49Nw6Bx
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2022
History Created by Neeraj Yet Again 🔥🔥🔥@Neeraj_chopra1 becomes the 1st Indian Male to win a medal at the #WorldChampionships
Neeraj wins 🥈in Men’s Javelin Throw with his best throw of 88.13m at @WCHoregon22
Absolutely Brilliant 🙇♂️🙇♀️
📸 @g_rajaraman
1/2#IndianAthletics pic.twitter.com/OtJpeDopGe— SAI Media (@Media_SAI) July 24, 2022
Many congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 for your silver at the worlds ! You make us proud. Well done and the best for the rest of the season.
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) July 24, 2022
#NeerajChopra has once again made #IndianArmy and the Nation proud. #IndianArmy congratulates Subedar Neeraj Chopra on winning #SilverMedal in men’s #Javelin in World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022 with throw of 88.13 meters.#WCHOregon22 pic.twitter.com/oNsHfJEets
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 24, 2022
Another Indian javelin thrower — Rohit Yadav — finished 10th with a best attempt of 78.72m, which came in his third attempt. His two earlier attempts measured 77.96m and 78.05m. Neeraj Chopra will now be seen in action in Commonwealth Games Birmingham.