In a historic triumph that resonated with national pride, Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion, etched his name once again in the annals of athletic greatness by securing India’s first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships. The resounding victory unfolded on a glorious Sunday in Budapest, where the 25-year-old athlete exhibited an awe-inspiring display of dominance in the men’s javelin final, culminating in a remarkable throw spanning an impressive 88.17 meters.

In a momentous display of skill and determination, Chopra’s meteoric javelin launch soared above the competition, clinching the coveted gold medal. His monumental achievement garnered further significance as he became the pioneer Indian athlete to grasp such a prestigious accolade at the global stage of the World Athletics Championships.

Admirably, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem secured the silver medal with a commendable throw of 87.82 meters, showcasing his season’s best. Meanwhile, the bronze medal was gracefully claimed by Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic.

Remarkably, three Indian athletes demonstrated their prowess by securing spots in the top eight ranks. Kishore Jena, displaying exceptional prowess, secured the fifth position with a remarkable throw covering a distance of 84.77 meters. DP Manu, another stalwart, showcased his proficiency with a throw of 84.14 meters, firmly securing the sixth spot in the exhilarating contest.

Chopra’s magnum opus transpired during his second attempt, as his sequence of throws charted a remarkable trajectory: 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m, and 83.98m.

With this resounding victory, Chopra not only cements his position as an athletic luminary but also joins the elite league of athletes who simultaneously hold both Olympic and World Championships titles. He follows in the illustrious footsteps of Abhinav Bindra, who seized the World Championships title at 23, followed by an Olympic gold at 25.

Having previously etched his name in history as India’s first Olympic track and field gold medalist during the 2021 Tokyo Games, Chopra further embellished his legacy by securing a silver at the 2022 World Championships.

Chopra’s accomplishments extend beyond these monumental milestones. He proudly joins the ranks of the select few javelin throwers in history who have triumphed in both the Olympics and World Championships. This remarkable feat aligns him with the legendary figures of Jan Zelezny from the Czech Republic and Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen.

Amidst his litany of achievements, Chopra’s accolades encompass gold medals in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, alongside a collection of four individual Diamond League Meeting titles and the prestigious Diamond League champion’s trophy earned in the previous year. His journey of excellence also includes securing the junior world champion title in 2016 and emerging victorious in the Asian Championships in 2017.

As Neeraj Chopra continues to redefine the contours of sporting achievement, his name resonates as a testament to dedication, skill, and unwavering determination. His gold medal victory at the World Athletics Championships stands as a luminous milestone in India’s sporting narrative and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the globe.