Neeraj Chopra Makes History with Gold Medal Win at World Athletics Championships

• ByStartupStory     |    August 28, 2023

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra etched his name in history once again as he clinched the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, becoming the first Indian to achieve this remarkable feat. Chopra’s monumental throw of 88.17m in the men’s javelin final in Budapest secured his victory and reaffirmed his status as an Olympic champion.

Chopra’s achievement was further magnified as three Indian athletes, including Kishore Jena (84.77m) and DP Manu (84.14m), secured spots in the top eight of the event. This marked the first time that three Indians achieved such a high placement in a World Championships event.

The 25-year-old athlete displayed exceptional skill, achieving his best throw in the second attempt, following a foul in his initial throw. His series of throws included 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m, and 83.98m.

Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan secured the silver medal with a season’s best throw of 87.82m, while Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic earned the bronze.

The Olympic champion becomes the javelin throw world champion ☄️

🇮🇳’s @Neeraj_chopra1 throws 88.17m to upgrade last year’s silver medal into glittering gold in Budapest 👏#WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/8K1mIvcYmF

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 27, 2023

Chopra’s victory not only made him the first Indian to secure a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships but also established him as the second Indian athlete to simultaneously hold titles in both the Olympics and World Championships. The legendary Abhinav Bindra was the first to achieve this remarkable feat.

With this win, Chopra has now earned every major title in his sport. He previously clinched the gold in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games in 2018, along with numerous other accomplishments in international competitions. He joins the ranks of historic javelin throwers like Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway as one of the few athletes to hold titles in both the Olympics and World Championships.

Neeraj Chopra’s journey from junior world champion to reigning champion on the global stage is a testament to his dedication and skill. With his remarkable achievements, Chopra continues to inspire the world and solidify his position as an Indian sports icon.

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