History has been created at Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj Chopra gave India the first Gold medal in Tokyo Olympics. It was India’s seventh medal and the first gold medal in Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj has definitely outdone himself by becoming the country’s first athlete to win a Gold medal in athletics at the Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj won the Gold medal in the final with a Javelin throw of 87.58 meters. He had previously finished first in Pool A qualification with a throw of 86.65 meters. Neeraj Chopra’s all-time greatest throw is 88.07 meters. To everyone’s surprise, it was Neeraj’s first Olympics. Here are some of the interesting facts about Neeraj Chopra.
Born In Haryana
Neeraj Chopra, the Asian javelin throw champion and the new poster boy of Indian athletics, was born in Khandra village in Panipat, Haryana, to a farmer’s family. He says his struggle as a young child to offer the best to his family and fulfill his goals pushed him to get to where he is now.
Was Weighed 80 KG At The Age Of 13
Neeraj uses to consume ghee, makhan, and malai regularly. It had a significant impact on Neeraj. At the age of 13, he weighed more than 80 kg and was on the verge of becoming obese. So, his uncle Bhim Chopra took him to the Panipat Sports Stadium. After that, Neeraj started getting into shape. He liked to go for walks near the gym because there was a stadium nearby.
How He Started Javelin Throw?
Some kids used to throw the javelin in the stadium. Neeraj stood there until the coach invited him to throw the javelin and see how far he could throw it. Neeraj threw the javelin, and it landed far away. After that, the instructor requested that he should attend regular training sessions. Neeraj practiced at Panipat Stadium for a few days before moving to Panchkula and beginning his training there.
Training At Panchkula
Neeraj’s family had no idea that he began coming to the Panipat SAI Centre following his gym session. His family had no clue that he had started throwing the javelin. His photo appeared in the local newspaper one day, announcing that he had won an inter-district tournament. “Only then did we find out,” remembers Bhim Chopra. At the Panipat Sai Centre, Neeraj was persuaded to try javelin by a senior named Jaiveer, who taught him the basics. Jaiveer, who is now a coach at NIS Patiala, recalls how he persuaded Neeraj to try javelin.
After a few years, Neeraj relocated to Panchkula’s Tau Devi Lal Stadium and trained there till he was invited to the national camp in 2015.
Unable To Qualify For Rio Olympics
Despite setting a world record as a junior in 2016, Neeraj was unable to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Neeraj established the mark on July 23, which was coincidentally also the last day to qualify for Rio.
Promoted To Naib Subedar
Following the world record, the army promoted Neeraj to Naib Subedar, relegating him to the position of Junior Commissioned Officer. He didn’t look back after that, winning gold medals at the 2018 Asian and Commonwealth Games.
Six International Medals
Neeraj has six international medals to his name. Neeraj has won medals in six major international tournaments. In 2018, he won gold medals at the Jakarta Asian Games, the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the Asian Championship, the South Asian Games, and the Junior World Championship. In 2016, he was a silver medalist in the Junior Asian Championships.
Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced to reward INR 6 crores to Neeraj Chopra. Congratulations, Neeraj Chopra, for winning the Gold medal. You made the entire nation proud.
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