India’s star athlete Neeraj Chopra on Sunday (July 24) created history by becoming the first Indian track and field athlete to win a silver medal at the prestigious Athletics World Championships in Eugene. The 24-year-old’s fourth attempt of 88.13 m helped him secure a second-place finish in the javelin throw competition. It was the first medal at the worlds for the star Indian athlete, who created history last year by winning the first ever gold medal in athletics for India at the Olympics.
Speaking exclusively to Times Now after his record-breaking performance in the World Championships, Chopra said that it was a big achievement and he is very happy about it. “It is a big achievement. I am very happy about it,” the ace athlete said from Eugene after his win. In the medal rounds on Sunday, the Indian athlete started with a foul throw before throwing the javelin to 82.39 m in the second attempt.
He made a comeback in the third round with an 86.37 m throw, and in the fourth he sealed the medal for himself by going as far as 88.13 m. Neeraj said that even though his medal was secured after the fourth attempt, he was not looking to relax and was aiming to improve his tally till the last attempt. “Till the last throw I had this in mind that I had to improve… I will strive to give my best in future competitions too.”
The Indian athlete is next scheduled to take part in the Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Birmingham this coming week, and he is looking forward to it. The Army man is the defending CWG champion and will be the favourite to retain his title in the multi-nation sporting extravaganza.
Chopra was hoping to become the first Olympic gold medallist to win the top prize at the worlds as well, but was unable to get past Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who was the defending world champion. The 24-year-old secured the top position once again after three efforts of 90 m plus.
Speaking about his future plans, Neeraj, who has won a medal in each of the major competitions he has represented India in, said that his main goal is to be world champion now as he has set his eyes on a gold medal. “To be a world champion is my main aim now. Gold medal is a gold medal,” he added.
