Neeraj Chopra — the ‘SpearMan’ of India

Aug 7, 2021

Credit: BCCL

Creating history

Neeraj Chopra created history by winning the gold medal in men’s javelin throw, with a throw of 87.58 metres for India at the Tokyo Olympics.

Credit: BCCL

Subedar Neeraj Chopra

The 23-year old athlete hails from Haryana and is a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian army.

Credit: BCCL

Failed to qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics

Chopra won a gold medal at the 2016 South Asian Games and a gold medal again in 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships. Despite these performances, he failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics .

Credit: BCCL

Qualified for Tokyo Olympics

On 4 August 2021, he qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics final in the men's javelin throw.

Credit: BCCL

The best medal edition for India

His gold medal has made India surpass the tally of six medals won at the 2012 London Olympics, making it the most number of medals won by India in a single edition of the Olympics.

Credit: BCCL

After Abhinav Bindra

Chopra is the second Indian after shooter Abhinav Bindra to win a gold medal in an individual event for independent India.

Credit: BCCL

A 100-year long wait comes to an end

This is the first gold medal in 100 years for India in the track and field category.

Credit: BCCL

Cash prize

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced a cash reward of ₹6 crore and a government job for Neeraj Chopra.

Credit: Twitter

Silver and bronze

In the javelin throw event, Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch bagged the silver medal with a throw of 86.67m. His compatriot Vitezslav Vesley took the bronze medal with a throw of 85.44m.

Credit: BCCL