Neeraj Chopra hoisted the tricolor at midnight of 27 August in Budapest, Hungary. 25-year-old Neeraj Chopra has become the first Indian sportsperson to win Olympic and World Championship gold medals at the same time. Neeraj Chopra has become the top player not only in India but all over the world. If we look at the world ranking, Neeraj is on top.
For the first time in the 40-year history of this tournament, an Indian player has captured the gold medal. Last year Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal here. In the final of the tournament, Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal with a javelin throw of 88.17 metres. Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem fell behind Neeraj with a throw of 87.82 and had to settle for the silver medal. Neeraj Chopra hoisted the tricolor at midnight in Budapest, Hungary.
25-year-old Neeraj Chopra has become the first Indian athlete to win Olympic gold and world championship gold at the same time. After the historic victory, a Hungarian woman asked Neeraj for an autograph on the Indian tricolor. Neeraj Chopra flatly refused to do so. Neeraj Chopra said that signing the tricolor would be an insult to the flag of India. Even in the enthusiasm of victory, Neeraj Chopra maintained the honor of India. He signed on the sleeve of that woman. Every Indian's chest swelled with pride seeing the champion's respect for the tricolor after the victory. Hearty congratulations to champion Neeraj Chopra.
Neither a coach nor money to buy Javelin! Neeraj Chopra, who won gold by defeating Pakistani Arshad Nadeem, had financial constraints in his childhood, he used to learn javelin throw by watching YouTube. By defeating Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan in the World Athletics Championships, Neeraj Chopra proved that if there is passion, then any destination can be achieved. For the first time in the 40-year history of this tournament, an Indian player captured the gold medal. Last year Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal here. In the final of the tournament, Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal with a javelin throw of 88.17 metres. Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem fell behind Neeraj with a throw of 87.82 and had to be content with the silver medal.
Javelin thrower No other player is seen even around Neeraj Chopra. But it was not always like this. Throwing the javelin was not far away from the dreams that Neeraj had seen in his childhood. Neeraj didn't even his family know that there is a sport like javelin throwing. But it is said, sometimes the destination is reached by walking on unknown paths. Just there should be heart inside the man. Something similar happened with Neeraj, a resident of Panipat.
Neeraj's weight was very high in his childhood. About 12 years ago from today i.e. it is about the year 2011. Here the Indian cricket team won the World Cup and on the other hand, troubled by Neeraj's increasing weight, the family members started sending him to the gym, but after a few days the matter went awry. Neeraj, who weighed 80 kg at the age of 13, did not enjoy exercising with machines. Now the family members are worried. In such a situation, he decided to send his son to the stadium to keep fit. Here Neeraj started walking and running on the track. How long can the exercise go on alone? One such day here he met some athletes. It is said that in Haryanvi homes, you will either find soldiers or athletes who bring medals for the country.
After meeting the athletes, Neeraj felt that he too can do it. Inspired by him, Neeraj also decided to become an athlete. Neeraj picked it up for the first time and threw it so far that the people standing around were stunned. No one could believe that this little boy could throw the javelin so far. That's all, Neeraj laid down his life. There was a time when Neeraj did not have a coach. Even then he did not give up. He used to learn the nuances of javelin throwing considering YouTube as his guru. After this they used to reach the field. He removed many of his shortcomings just by watching the video. Neeraj faced a lot of difficulties in the initial phase. Due to financial constraints, his family did not have the money to get Neeraj a good quality Javelin. But without any disappointment, Neeraj continued his practice with a cheap Javelin. He never forced his parents to buy him an expensive Javelin.
In 2012, Neeraj won gold medals in the State Level Junior Championship and then in the Junior National Championship. By the year 2013-14, Neeraj Chopra's name had become world famous in India. But it was yet to make a splash at the world level. Then came the year 2016. The Junior World Championships were to be held in Poland. Neeraj left for there and in his departure, the family and acquaintances only said that a new experience would be found in the new place. In the earlier days in India, the problem used to be that everyone used to think that there would be very powerful players abroad. Where will our son be able to win in front of them. Will come back home after learning a little bit. But Neeraj had other plans. Neeraj threw the javelin here up to 86.48 meters and with this a world record was created. Neeraj proved his family members wrong. He did not go for experience but went to win at all costs.
Before Naib Subedar Neeraj, at the junior level, no one in history could throw a javelin so far. Neeraj Chopra has had a knack for making history right from the start. It was only after the 2016 World Championship that the army made Neeraj a Junior Commissioned Officer and gave him the rank of Naib Subedar. However, even after this world record, Neeraj could not play in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Actually the cut off date to qualify for Rio was 11th July and Neeraj did this feat on 23rd July. Neeraj Chopra was heartbroken. However, being a Haryanvi boy, Neeraj had fulfilled two dreams at once. Apart from being an athlete, he had also become a part of the Indian Army. After rocking at the junior level, Neeraj started playing at the senior level. Here he won gold medals of South Asian Games, Asian Championship, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. In these tournaments, the Indians present in the spectators' gallery began to chant, Kahan pade ho chakkar mein, koi nahi hai takkar mein!
Neeraj Chopra wanted to play the 2020 Olympic Games at any cost. But in the meanwhile Neeraj had to face a severe shoulder injury. For a time it seemed that he might never be able to lift the Javelin again. But Neeraj Chopra was determined that he would definitely get India a medal in the Olympics. Neeraj Chopra worked hard for this. Worked on my fitness day and night and got back on the field again. Then came the turn of Tokyo Olympics 2020. Where Neeraj created history by throwing a javelin at 87.58 meters on 7 August 2021. Returning from injury, Neeraj Chopra did wonders. He became the first Indian to win gold in this sport. Also became only the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win an individual gold at the Olympic Games. From here Neeraj did not look back. He made India proud in the world of athletics.
In the 18th World Athletics Championships held in Eugene, USA, he won the silver medal by throwing 88.13 meters, while on 5 May 2023 he won the Wanda Diamond League title in Doha. Last year, in the World Athletics Championship where he had won silver, this time Neeraj won gold there. By winning the World Championship gold, Neeraj Chopra fulfilled his dream of winning gold in all the major competitions of Javelin. At the age of 25, Neeraj Chopra has become the most successful athlete of India. Now the Olympic Games are to be held in Paris next year, for which Neeraj has qualified. In such a situation, looking at his form, one thing is certain – a gold in athletics is certain. Neeraj Chopra's father has said that the son always wants gold. He never wants to be second best. Mother India is proud of her dear son.
