Herculean Indian: Twitter Erupts With Accolades for Neerja Chopra, India’s Golden Boy
- The 23-year-old junior officer in the Indian Army won the country’s first Olympic athletics gold medal in the men's javelin event.
India’s Neeraj Chopra made history on Aug. 7 by winning India’s first Olympic athletics gold medal with a throw of 87.58 meters in the men’s javelin event at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. He set a new benchmark in Tokyo, edging past Jakub Vadlejch (86.67) and Vitezslav Vesely (85.44), both of the Czech Republic. With that win, Chopra, a junior officer in the Indian Army with the Rajputana Rifles became the second Indian after Abhinav Bindra to win an individual gold medal for India. in the 2008 Beijing Games.
“It feels unbelievable,” Chopra said after his historic win. “This is our first Olympic medal for a very long time, and in athletics, it is the first time we have gold, so it’s a proud moment for me and my country.”
Chopra made his first mark on international athletics with a world junior title in 2016. Two years later, he became the first Indian athlete to win the javelin at the Asian Games and at the Commonwealth Games.
In an Aug. 8 tweet, Chopra wrote: “Still processing this feeling. To all of India and beyond, thank you so much for your support and blessings that have helped me reach this stage. This moment will live with me forever.”
India has won eight Olympic gold medals in field hockey, more than any other nation, including a bronze at the Tokyo Games, after a 41-year drought. India’s only previous medals in Olympic track and field were two silvers won by Norman Pritchard in the 200 meters and the 200-meter hurdles at Paris in 1900.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the newly-minted Olympic gold-medallist. “Just spoke to @Neeraj_chopra1 and congratulated him on winning the Gold! Appreciated his hard work and tenacity, which have been on full display during #Tokyo2020,” Modi tweeted Aug. 7. “He personifies the best of sporting talent and sportsman spirit. Best wishes for his future endeavours.”
In an earlier tweet, he wrote: “History has been scripted in Tokyo! What @Neeraj_chopra1 has achieved today will be remembered forever. The young Neeraj has done exceptionally well. He played with remarkable passion and showed unparalleled grit. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold.”
Awards and accolades began raining for Chopra. Politicians and his colleagues from the sports fraternity took to Twitter to praise the young lad.
Former track and field champ PT Usha tweeted: “Realised my unfinished dream today after 37 years. Thank you, my son.”
Abhinav Bindra took to Twitter as well. “And Gold it is for @Neeraj_chopra1,” he wrote. Take a bow, young man ! You have fulfilled a nation’s dream. Thank you! Also, welcome to the club — a much-needed addition! Extremely proud. I am so delighted for you.
“Woooww! He’s a rocket, it’s a Gold and there are a billion tears of joy. Such days don’t come easy,” cricketer Virender Sehwag tweeted.
Former Indian international cricketer and a current cricket commentator VVS Laxman: “What a day this is for Indian sports. One of the most significant days in the history of Indian sports. #NeerajChopra you are a champion!
A tweet by cricketer Yuvraj Singh wrote: “Yes boy !! You did it . The country salutes you so proud of you.”
Hockey player Manpreet Singh wrote: “Salute to the nation GOLDen guy @Neeraj_chopra1 – the first Indian to win #Olympics track and field medal.”
“Brilliant brilliant brilliant,” tweeted badminton star Saina Nehwal.MP Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted: Congratulations Neeraj Chopra for winning #Goldmedal for India in #Olympics. Your achievement will inspire young athletes to work hard and bring glory for India. Well done!https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/1423982998144180226
Union Minister for I&B and Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Thakur tweeted: “NEERAJ CHOPRA India’s Golden Boy! India’s Olympic History has been scripted! Your superbly soaring throw deserves a Billion Cheers! Your name will be etched in the history books with golden letters.
“History has been scripted,” tweeted West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Beyond proud of Javelin thrower @Neeraj_chopra1 for winning the Gold Medal at the #Olympics2020!Today, the entire nation shall rejoice in this glorious victory! Many, many congratulations to you!”
History has been scripted!
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 7, 2021
Beyond proud of Javelin thrower @Neeraj_chopra1 for winning the Gold Medal at the #Olympics2020!
Today, the entire nation shall rejoice in this glorious victory! Many, many Congratulations to you!
India’s Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs & Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted about Chopra’s win and the playing of India’s national anthem at the Olympics podium. “Our national anthem plays at #Tokyo2020! This is momentous!@Neeraj_chopra1 becomes the first Indian to win an #Olympics #Gold in athletics.
Replying to Purim’s tweet, venture capitalist Aseem Chandana wrote: “Listening to the National Anthem while the flag was being hoisted was surreal. These golden moments will remain etched in our hearts forever! Thank you @Neeraj_chopra1 for these #proudmoments! We’ll always cherish this glory with profound love.”
Industrialist Anand Mahindra chimed in as well: “The Javelin throw is arguably the most frequently used image for commemorative coins. We need to have one officially released depicting.”
Business journalist Sohini wrote: “One small step for #NeerajChopra one giant leap for India.”
Former Diplomat and Strategic Affairs Expert K.C. Singh compared Chopra’s win with that of Milkha Singh’s. “The 1960 #Olympics t4h place finish of #MilkhaSinghJi inspired two generations of Indian athletes. #NeerajChopra another soldier like him with his gold medal will spark the aspirations of future athletes even more. What a feat!
User Vinay Toward Kanpur tweeted: “You have created history. India will remember this day. India is really very proud of you. India won the gold medal in the Olympics at Tokyo 2021. Congratulations.”
Another user Shruti Sharma wrote: “He’s just a young lad with a lot of life to get more accolades and break more records…It’s just a start… He’s just 23…
n his tweet, Gaurav Chopra summed up the moment Chopra won. “The best thing that I found about #NeerajChopra ‘s final throw is that he didn’t even bother to see where it landed. He threw, and turned around to the crowd with his head held high in national and personal pride! That’s the good kinda confidence people!”