Tokyo Olympics News: Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra created history by winning the gold medal in the men's javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on Saturday (7/8) local time.

The 23-year-old Indian athlete won the gold medal after recording her best throw of 87.58. With this, he became the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in athletics and the second Indian Olympic gold medalist, after shooter Abhinav Bindra who won it in Beijing 2008.

According to ifp.co.in, Neeraj's achievements were also appreciated by Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, who congratulated him via Twitter because he had made India proud.

“An unprecedented victory by Neeraj Chopra! Your gold medal in javelin broke barriers and created history. Ansa brought home the first athletics medal for India in your maiden Olympics. Your feat will inspire our youth. India is delighted! Congratulations!” tweeted President Ram Nath Kovind, as cited by ifp.co.in.

“History was made in Tokyo! What @Neeraj_chopra1 achieved today will be remembered forever. Young Neeraj did extremely well. He played with incredible passion and showed courage unrivaled. Congratulations to him for winning gold,” Modi wrote in a message on his Twitter, as cited by ifp.co.in.

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur congratulated him on Twitter by sharing a clip of him watching Neeraj's winning moment. “NEERAJCHOPRA, the Golden Boy of India! Your incredible high throw deserves a billion cheers! Your name will be etched in the history books in golden letters #Tokyo2020.” Tweet from the Sports Minister, quoted by ifp.co.in.

Born on December 24, 1997, Neeraj Chopra hails from Khandra village in Panipat, Haryana. Trained at SAI NSNIS Patiala, Chopra became the first Indian javelin thrower to win gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 Asian Games.

Meanwhile, with the addition of Neeraj's gold donations, India collected seven medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, surpassing the six medals won at the London 2012 Olympics.

Article Tag: Neeraj Chopra, India, Abhinav Bindra, Tokyo Olympics