Neeraj Scripted History With the Golden Throw
Neeraj Chopra, a 23-year-old guy who is a JCO in the Indian Army needs no introduction now. His golden throw at Tokyo Olympics 2020 scripted history for India. He became the first track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for India. However, with his golden throw, Neeraj also became the only individual including Abhinav Bindra to win an Olympic gold medal individually.
This is something we know about his present. But Neeraj’s past was not less than a thrilling journey. Read below to know more about his journey to the golden throw.
Insights to his early career
When young Neeraj’s batchmates started teasing him for his obesity, his father enrolled him in a gym. He also started visiting the Sports Authority Centre of India. Eventually, there his talent was recognized by javelin thrower Jaiveer Choudhary. Certainly, Neeraj used to throw javelin up to 40 m without any professional training. He, therefore, took training under Jaiveer and after a year he was admitted to Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula.
Neeraj began increasing his range under coach Naseem Ahmad and soon he won 2012 junior nationals by achieving a national record of 68.40 meters. He won his first international medal in the Youth Olympics qualification in Bangkok. He received a national callback when he achieved a throw of 80 meters. Chopra then won a gold medal at the 2016 South Asian Games with a throw that ranged 84.23 meters. Impressed with his talent, the Indian Army directly appointed him as a JOC in the Rajputana Rifles with the post of Naib Subedar.
Golden throw that scripted history
With a throw of 86.47 at Commonwealth games, Neeraj became the first Indian to win the javelin throw games on his first debut. He kept bettering his performance and then he finally received the Arjuna Award in 2018. However, his setback phase began when he was injured in 2019 but came back stronger.
Still processing this feeling. To all of India and beyond, thank you so much for your support and blessings that have helped me reach this stage.
This moment will live with me forever 🙏🏽🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/BawhZTk9Kk— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) August 8, 2021
After taking training for months, Neeraj managed to reach the podium with a record throw of 87.58 meters on 7th August at Tokyo Olympics. Ever since he has won the medal for India, Indian fans cannot keep calm. India has received this medal after 120 years.
Click here to read about Competitive Breakdancing to be an Olympic event in the Paris 2024 Olympics