Tokyo Olympics: Neeraj Chopra wins Gold Medal

WHY IN THE NEWS?

Neeraj Chopra, a 23-year-old javelin thrower, created history on August 7, 2021 by winning Gold Medal in men’s javelin throw final at Tokyo Olympics 2020. This was the first time, he participated in the Games.

About:

• He became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold after Abhinav Bindra. At his calmest best, he hurled the javelin 87.58m to script history for India.
• He ended India’s 121-year wait for an athletics medal.
• No Indian had won a medal in athletics since 1920 when India started taking part in the Olympics in 1920 in Antwerp, Belgium.
• Neeraj dedicated his gold medal to Milkha Singh and PT Usha and other Indian athletes who came closer to winning Olympic medal.

How he won?

Neeraj Chopra threw the javelin at 87.03m in his first throw. He bettered the throw with 87.58m but couldn’t go any further. He could manage four legitimate throws of 87.03m, 87.58m, 76.79m and 84.24. Though, Fourth and fifth throws were disqualified.

India’s 1st medal at Olympics

International Olympic Committee credits Norman Pritchard’s 200m and 200m hurdles silver medals in 1900 Paris Olympics to India. However, various researches and records of the IAAF (now World Athletics) shows that, he had competed for Great Britain. Pritchard was not an Indian and India first participated in Olympic under a national Olympic body in 1920.

Who is Neeraj Chopra?

He is an Indian track and field athlete competing in javelin throw. He has become the first track and field athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for India and second Olympic athletics to win for India after Norman Pritchard, who won two silver medals at 1900 Summer Olympics for India. He was inducted as Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in Rajputana Rifles of Indian Army in 2016. He made his debut at 2018 Commonwealth Games and 2018 Asian Games, where he was the opening flag-bearer. In both the games, he won gold medals.