Neeraj Chopra
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra said the feeling of winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics didn’t subside until he saw an enthusiastic welcome on his return to India on Monday.
Chopra not only became India’s first Olympic gold medalist in 13 years, but also the first track and field athlete to achieve the feat. It was Chopra’s second attempt of 87.58m in the javelin throw final that won her the gold.
“Every athlete dreams of winning a medal in the Olympics and there is no better feeling than winning gold. It was like a dream when I won the final. I was watching the gold medal to sink into this feeling. Once I returned The reception I received made me realize the achievement I have achieved in Tokyo,” Chopra said at an Athletics Federation of India (AFI) press conference in Delhi.
The Athletics Federation of India also asked its state members to organize javelin throw competitions across India every year on 7 August – the day Chopra achieved an unprecedented feat in sports.
“I was in good shape on the day of the final. I was trying to exceed my potential, and as soon as my second throw went well, I decided not to take any more risks. I didn’t push myself because I knew It was that I had almost confirmed gold for the country,” Neeraj added.
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Citing the example of Anju Bobby George, the Olympic gold medalist further said that her next goal is to win the World Championships. Breaking the 90 meter mark in the near future is also one of Neeraj’s objectives.
Earlier on Monday, the star javelin thrower was honored in the honor ceremony organized by the Sports Minister. Anurag Thakur. Chopra was given a red carpet welcome as fans thronged to welcome her Olympic hero at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Read also: Neeraj Chopra recalls the throw that won him the historic gold medal
India won seven medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics – 1 gold, 2 silver, 4 bronze – to outperform its medal tally at the 2012 London Olympics. Chopra’s gold helped India clinch its highest ever medal in the Games.
While 23-year-old Chopra added a golden glow to her campaign in Tokyo, Mirabai Chanu and wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya claimed silver. Bronze medals were won by boxer Lovlina Borgohain, shuttler PV Sindhu, men’s hockey team and wrestler Bajrang Punia.
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