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WATCH: Throwback to Tokyo Olympics where Neeraj Chopra's golden throw ensured India's maiden track and field medal (Source: X)
Neeraj Chopra scripted history for India at the Tokyo Olympics. The Javelin thrower won the gold medal and became the first-ever track-and-field athlete to fetch a medal for India at the Olympics. He fulfilled the dreams of PT Usha, Milkha Singh, and other athletes by winning the gold medal for India with his second and best throw of 87.58 meters.
The conditions in Tokyo weren't ideal for long throws. It is likely to be similar in Paris. Hence, the throwers with better skills and application had an edge in the event. It was one of the reasons behind the favorite Johannes Vetter not being able to clinch even a medal at the event. Neeraj looked composed right from the qualification round. He did not buy the pressure and stayed to his strengths.
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The star thrower entered the final with an impressive throw. On the final day of the event, all eyes were on the young thrower. He was the best hope of the entire nation to finish the tour on a high. Chopra did not disappoint India and came up with better throws than his opponents in conditions that were not easy for the longer throws. The fans went berserk during each throw of Chopra.
Neeraj Chopra's historic moment in Tokyo
Chopra threw the javelin for an impressive 87.03 meters in his first throw. As a matter of fact, it was enough for him to fetch a gold medal! But his best throw came in the following throw, where he registered a fantastic throw of 87.58 meters. No thrower after him managed to get even close to his record. In the end, it was enough for him to script history at the Olympics.
Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch ended up winning the silver medal. It turned out to be one of the best moments for Indis at the Olympics. Neeraj became just the second Indian individual athlete to win a gold medal after Abhinav Bindra in 2008. In the years after it, Neeraj won the Diamon League, and World Championships, and defended his Asian gold medal.