CHOPRA CHERISHES HIS PROUD MOMENT
Tokyo, Aug. 7: “It feels unbelievable,” said star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra after his history-making gold in the Olympics on Saturday, claiming to have been unsure of a top podium finish despite a remarkably confident performance.
“It feels unbelievable. It is the first time India has won a gold in athletics, so I feel very good. We have just one gold here in other sports,” the 23year-old said after winning the historic gold.
“This is our first Olympic medal for a very long time, and in athletics it is the first time we have gold, so it’s a proud moment for me and my country,” he added.
Asked if he was surprised to win gold which also featured German great
Johannes Vetter, he said, “In the qualification round I threw very well so I knew I could do better in the final. (But) I didn’t know it would be gold but I am very happy.”
Few would have thought that Chopra would bludgeon his way to gold in such a dominant fashion.
Later, Chopra dedicated his historic achievement to sprint legend Milkha Singh, who died of Covid-19 in June, a gesture that left his son and ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh overwhelmed with “eternal” gratitude.
“Milkha Singh wanted to hear the national anthem in a stadium. He is no longer with us but his dream has been fulfilled,” the javelin thrower said dedicating the achievement to the iconic sprinter, who had finished fourth the 1960 Rome Olympics.
Milkha, 91, breathed his last in Chandigarh in June after battling Covid-19 for a month.
“Dad waited so many years for this to happen. His dream has finally come true with India’s first athletic gold. I am crying as I tweet this. And I am sure dad is crying up above. Thank you for making this happen,” Jeev posted.
“Not only did you win us a first-ever athletics gold medal in the #OlympicGames, you even dedicated it to my father. The Milkha family is eternally grateful for this honour,” he added.
The iconic sprinter had often talked about his deep desire to see an Indian win a track and field Olympic medal. —