Neeraj
Chopra, the Indian javelin-thrower who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics last
year, has now won a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships on
Sunday, July 24. The 24-year-old athlete’s performance has sent a wave of jubilation
across the billion-strong nation. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on
Twitter: “A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes!
Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning a historic Silver medal at the #WorldChampionships.
This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his
upcoming endeavours.”

Neeraj
Chopra on Sunday became only the second Indian athlete to win a medal at the
World Athletics Championship (WAC). Before him, the only Indian to win a medal
at WAC was Anju Bobby George in long jump in 2003.

As Neeraj
Chopra sealed his silver medal, celebrations broke out at his Panipat home.
Chopra’s family was seen distributing laddus after the athlete produced an
88.13m throw. Women in the family broke into a dance. “We are very happy that
his hard work has paid off,” said Saroj Chopra, Neeraj Chopra’s mother, to
NDTV. Chopra’s grandfather Dharamsingh said, “We were aiming for a gold medal
but we are happy that he’s won a silver.”

Also Read | What you need to know about Neeraj Chopra, India’s Golden Boy

Neeraj
Chopra came into the World Athletics Championship as a hot medal favourite.
However, he began a foul throw and had 82.39m and 86.37m to be at the fourth
spot after three rounds. In the fourth round, he jumped to the second place at
88.13m.

Also Read | Neeraj Chopra wins silver at World Athletics Championships

Neeraj
Chopra’s performance at the Tokyo Olympics has inspired many in Panipat to take
up javelin throw. One such neighbour, who was present at Chopra’s home on
Sunday, said, “We have also started training for javelin throw. We train daily
in the evening. We are really happy that Neeraj bhaiya has won the medal.”

The gold
medal went to Anderson Peters of Grenada who threw the javelin for 90.54 m.
Jakum Vadlejch from the Czech Republic, the person who had won silver at the
Tokyo Olympics, won bronze at the WAC throwing 88.09m.