India’s Neeraj Chopra on Saturday said that he found his Gold medal-winning moment ‘unbelievable’ after he created history at the Tokyo Olympics. Chopra threw a distance of 87.58 meters in the men’s javelin throw event to clinch the first-ever Gold medal in athletics for India.
“It feels unbelievable. It is the first time India has won a gold in athletics, so I feel very good. We have just one gold here in other sports,” the newest Golden boy was quoted by news agency PTI.
Chopra said that he was confident of doing better in the final after leading the qualifying round despite the presence of German legend Johannes Vetter. “(But) I didn’t know it would be gold but I am very happy,” he said
India erupted in jubilation after Chopra secured the Gold medal for his country, taking the country’s overall medal tally to seven. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced a cash reward of Rs. 6 crore, a well-paid job and an allotment of land at 50% discount.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh also announced a cash reward of Rs. 2 crore for Chopra.
Fans took to social media to share how they were in tears seeing the Indian tricolour go up during the medal presentation ceremony as the national anthem was played in the background.
This Olympics most emotional moments for me! #goosebumps #tears pic.twitter.com/BEKIRjM0F9
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) August 7, 2021
I had tears in my eyes proudly listening to our National Anthem! Jai #NeerajChopra Jai Hind! pic.twitter.com/BBkRibymp3
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) August 7, 2021
aah, there is something in my eye …. and also a lump in my throat …. ???????? https://t.co/t2xONvGNJh
— Harini Calamur (#maskup) (@calamur) August 7, 2021
Is it HAPPENING ? !!! Neeraj’s father on his feet.Tears in his eyes already. #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/vej0aUu9do
— Andrew Amsan (@AndrewAmsan) August 7, 2021
It’s a GOLD ???? for #NeerajChopra in the Olympics #Tokyo2020.
Heartiest Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 on behalf of all the #Prabhas fans for Creating history and filling eyes of all the Indians with tears of Joy . pic.twitter.com/kyIlPtNkT1— Prabhas Rules ᴿᵃᵈʰᵉˢʰʸᵃᵐ???? (@PrabhasRules) August 7, 2021
India won seven medals in the Tokyo Olympics including one Gold and two silver medals. India has never won a Olympic Gold medal in athletics. Not only did Chopra become the first athlete to win an Olympic Gold for India, but he’s also only the second athlete in the history to win a Gold in an individual event.