Neeraj Chopra creates history by winning first ever Olympic medal in athletics for India, bags gold in javelin throw at Tokyo Olympics

India’s Neeraj Chopra creates history by winning gold medal in javelin throw at Tokyo Olympics. He wins an athletics medal for Independent India for the first time. His podium finish comes more than 121 years after Norman Pritchard had won 200m silver on July 22, 1900.

Neeraj’s throw of 87.58 m in his second attempt after an equally superb throw on the first, positioned him on the top spot. With German athlete Johannes Vettor, the top contender for first position, bowing out after three rounds, Neeraj’s claim on gold got certain.

The silver and bronze medals went to Czech Republic’s J. Vadlejch and V. Vesely respectively.

With this gold, Neeraj became second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold after Abhinav Bindra bagging gold in shooting in 2008 Beijing event.

Neeraj’s gold medal takes India’s tally to 7, and this is the best ever performance by the country in any Olympics. In 2012 London Olympics, India had won six medals that included two silver and four bronze.