- Chopra is second Indian to win individual Olympic gold
- Abhinav Bindra was the first in Beijing Olympics in 2008
Tokyo: India won its first ever Olympic gold medal In athletics. Neeraj Chopra’s stunning performance had made it possible. The 23-year old had registered his best performance by throwing in his second attempt in the final to a record distance of 87.58 meters to finish ahead of Czech Republic duo of Jakub Vadlejch and Vitezslav Vessely to clinch the gold medal. It is India’s first gold medal at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. In the country’s Olympic history Neeraj is the second person to win individual gold medal after Abhinav Bindra’s historic Beijing Olympic event in 2008 in 10 meter air rifle shooting event.
Neeraj throw had helped India to better its medal tally to seven compared to the tally at London Olympics in 2012 which was six. Chopra threw 87.03 m in his first attempt. He went even better with his second throw 87.58 m. In the third attempt his throw was 76.79. Fourth and fifth attempts he deliberately made fowl. The last throw was a formality which was 84.24. Germany’s Johannes Vetter who was initially expected to bag the gold medal this time could not qualify for quarter final. He was knocked out of the competition when he failed to be in the last eight.
Bajrang Punia wins bronze in wrestling
With this gold, India had so far won seven medals including two silver and four bronze medals in all. Earlier in the day, wrestler Bajrang Punia defeated Dalulet Niyazbekov in men’s 65 kg freestyle to win the bronze. Bajrang dominated the show completely winning the even 8-0. It was a one-sided affair. He was leading 2-0 after the first period and added six more points in the final three minutes.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar had congratulated Neeraj Chopra for his golden effort. Modi had earlier commended Punia’s performance in winning a bronze medal.
