Neeraj Chopra becomes first Indian to win a Gold Medal in the World Athletics

India’s Neeraj Chopra added a javelin world title to his Olympic gold on Sunday, recording a best throw of 88.17m in Budapest.

The 25-year-old took silver last year but he stamped his mark on the final early on with his winning throw coming in the second round.

Pakistan’s Commonwealth Games Champion Arshad Nadeem took silver with a throw of 87.82m with the Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch taking the bronze in 86.67m.

Germany’s Julian Weber finished fourth and held his hands to his face in disappointment, as his country finished the championships without a medal.

At the first world championships in 1983, communist East Germany topped the medals table.

Neeraj Chopra is the GOAT 🇮🇳

First Indian to win a Gold Medal in the World Athletics Championships….!!!!!!pic.twitter.com/SyE0TtzDsX

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 27, 2023

Who is Neeraj Chopra?

Neeraj Chopra is an Indian athlete, specifically a javelin thrower, who gained significant attention for his achievements in the sport. Born on December 24, 1997, in Khandra village in Haryana, India, Neeraj Chopra made history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in track and field at the Olympic Games.

Neeraj Chopra’s most notable accomplishment came during the Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) Olympics, where he won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw event. He achieved this feat with a throw of 87.58 meters, showcasing remarkable talent and skill. This victory was celebrated as a monumental moment for Indian athletics and brought him widespread recognition and admiration.

Prior to his Olympic triumph, Neeraj had also earned medals in various other international competitions, including the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.