‘Remarkable Passion, Unparalleled Grit’: PM Modi Hails Neeraj Chopra’s Golden Performance

Milkha Singh, PT Usha, Anju Bobby Geroge, they all represented India in different Olympic events but have one thing in common. They all came close to winning an Olympic medal but fell agonisingly short, losing on to a podium finish by a whisker.

© Reuters

After a series of heartbreaks and decades of drought, the moment has finally arrived when a track and field athlete from Indian could call himself an Olympic champion and this long-standing dream has been turned into reality by star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who struck gold by hurling his javelin at a distance 87.58m, giving Indian its moment of glory that millions of Indians have been waiting for since ages.

© Reuters

With this triumph, Neeraj became only the second Indian athlete to win an individual Olympic gold medal, joining shooter Abhinav Bindra in the elite club who had won a gold in 10-meter air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Delighted with Neeraj’s achievement, Bindra was among the first persons to congratulate the 23-year-old athlete from Haryana on the micro-blogging site. 

And Gold it is for @Neeraj_chopra1 .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.

— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) August 7, 2021

“And Gold it is for @Neeraj_chopra1.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,” Bindra wrote in Twitter. 

As the country celebrated the historic achievement, the social media platform was flooded with congratulatory messages. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said history has been created in Tokyo and his achievement will be cherished forever by each and every Indian. 

History has been scripted at 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. #Tokyo2020 https://t.co/2NcGgJvfMS

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2021

“History has been scripted at 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. #Tokyo2020,” PM Modi tweeted. 

नीरज ने जैवेलिन को पहुंचाया सूरज तक!

India shines brighter today because of you, Neeraj.

Your javelin carried the tricolour all the way and made it flutter with the pride of every Indian.

What a moment for Indian sport!#Olympics #Tokyo2020 #Athletics #Gold pic.twitter.com/FZ52Ti6EZc

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 7, 2021

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.#Tokyo2020 @Neeraj_chopra1 pic.twitter.com/Xe6OYlCedq

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 7, 2021

Historic!

Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning #Gold

Prayers of billion+ Indians have been answered. #Cheer4India #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/9SxoSn0ITT

— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 7, 2021

History has been made, Milkha Singh Ji’s wish is fulfilled as India wins first ever Olympic medal in Athletics!

A golden moment 4 India as Neeraj Chopra won Olympic Gold medal for India at #Tokyo2020
Congratulations @Neeraj_chopra1 on this historic achievement! #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/Uyz2JX06VE

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 7, 2021

What a day for Indian sports!!!!
Neeraj Chopra has not just won the first gold for India in track & field he has given birth to many potential Indian gold medallists of the future!
#NeerajChopra #Inspiration

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 7, 2021 

Neeraj’s golden moment has made Tokyo 2020 India’s best-ever performance at an Olympic event as they finished with seven medals, overhauling six medals that Indian athletes won at the 2012 London Games.

Earlier in the day, wrestler Bajrang Punia gave India their sixth medal at Tokyo Olympics as he defeated Kazakhstan’s Daulet Niyazbekov 8-0 to clinch the bronze medal in the 65kg freestyle event.