Neeraj Chopra's phenomenal show at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ensured that he secured 14 places in the world rankings. Neeraj, who won gold in the javelin throw, India's first medal in track and field, currently ranks second with 1,315 points. Germany's Johannes Witter, who missed a medal at the Olympics, continues to lead with a score of 1,396. Before the current ranking was revealed, Neeraj was ranked 16th in the world. At the Tokyo Games, Neeraj threw 87.58 meter to take gold and became India's second individual gold medalist at the Olympics.While strong favorite Vetter finished ninth in the final, Neeraj threw better than two athletes from the Czech Republic to finish on the podium. Jakob Vadlejch took silver with a best time of 86.67 meters, and former world champion Vitezslav Vesely won bronze with a throw of 85.44 meters. "It's an incredible feeling. It's the first time India has won a gold medal in athletics, so I feel great. We only have one gold in other sports. Milka Singh wanted to hear the national anthem in a stadium. He is no longer with us but his dream has been fulfilled."Neeraj said after his historic victory.Also Read: Billion-dollar online gaming industry seeks clarity on valuation, taxation
Sumit Antil, who has participated in able-bodied events including the Indian Grand Prix, said his goal is to qualify for both the Paralympic Games and the Olympics in 2024 and he will begin his training once he returns to India. Indian javelin thrower Sumit Antel now wants to compete against able-bodied athletes at the Paris Olympics three years from now. The 23-year-old from Sonipat shown his impressive performance on Monday when he broke his own world record not once but five times to take gold in the men's F64 javelin with a throw of 68.55 meters. Antel, who has participated in able-bodied events including the Indian Grand Prix, said his goal is to qualify for both the Paralympic Games and the Olympics in 2024 and will begin his training once he returns to the country. During my training, I have been touching the 70m-mark. And I dream of throwing between 75 to 80m and that should be enough to compete amongst the able-bodied athletes. “I wish to take part in both the Olympics and Paralympics. That’s my dream,” Antil, who lost his left leg below the knee after he was involved in a motorbike accident in 2015, said in a release issued by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). “Once I return from Tokyo, I will be training for that for sure,” he added. If Sumit is allowed to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, he will compete against countryman Neeraj Chopra, who recently won gold medal in men's javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics. Interestingly, as the son of a JWO officer in the Indian Army, Antel competed against Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in the able-bodied 3rd series of the Indian Grand Prix on March 5 at Patiala, where he finished seventh with a best throw of 66.43 meters. On Tuesday, Antel broke the previous world record of 62.88 meters, which is also set by him, five times a day. His last throw was a foul. His series read 66.95, 68.08, 65.27, 66.71, 68.55 and foul.Also Read- Shooter Avani Lekhara First Indian Woman To Win Gold At Paralympics"At the 2019 World Para-Athletics Championships, I settled for silver. I always wanted to win the gold medal," said Antel, who was inspired by Neeraj Chopra medal show. "My coach told me to be aggressive at the Paralympic Games. I'm glad I was able to finally come out with a good performance and inspire the upcoming generation." It was very hot and humid that day in Tokyo, but Antil never looked bothered. "During the pandemic, I got special permission from the Sports Authority of India to train at home. I was prepared for all conditions - hot and humid. I trained late at night and this paid off well," said Antel, who hails from Sonepat. The Haryana athlete now hopes that Paralympic gold will give him a job once he returns to India. "Currently, I am unemployed and I am doing full-time training but I hope to get a job after this. Let's see what happens when I return to India," he signed off.Also Read- US Open 2021: Naomi Osaka kicks off title defence with straight sets win over Marie Bouzkova
An unprecedented 11 sportspersons have been recommended for this year's rechristened Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna by the national sports award's selection committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Mukundakum Sharma. This is the first time that many names have been recommended for a single edition of the Awards Ceremony. Last year, the government honored a total of 74 athletes with the National Sports and Adventure Awards in different segments. The awardees included five in the Khel Ratna category and 27 for Arjuna. This year, a total of 72 names have been recommended for the Khel Ratna, Arjuna (35), Dhyan Chand, Dronacharya (regular) and Dronacharya (lifetime). The list doesn't include names of athletes, corporates and sports promotion boards and top-performing universities recommended for the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (RKPP), Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) trophy and Tenzing Norgay award. Among those who have been recommended for the Khel Ratna - India's highest sporting honour - include tokyo olympics gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, silver-winning men's freestyle wrestler Ravi Dahiya, Tokyo olympics bronze medallist woman welterweight boxer Lovlina Borgohain and men's hockey team's goalkeeper P R Sreejesh. Five para-athletes, who created history by winning gold each at the Tokyo Paralympics, have also been nominated for the Khel Ratna. These include Pramod Bhagat (para-badminton), Sumit Antil (para-javelin), Avani Lekhara (para-shooting), Krishna Nagar (para-badminton) and Manish Narwal (para-shooting).KHEL RATNA: Neeraj Chopra (athletics), Ravi Dahiya (wrestling), PR Sreejesh (hockey), Lovlina Borgohain (boxing in olympics), Sunil Chhetri (football), Mithali Raj (cricket), Pramod Bhagat (parabadminton), Sumit Antil (para- javelin), Avani Lekhara (para-shooting), Krishna Nagar (para-badminton) and Manish Narwal (para-shooting).ARJUNA AWARD: Arpinder Singh (triple jump), Simranjit Kaur (boxing), Shikhar Dhawan (cricket), Bhavani Devi (fencing), Monika (hockey), Vandana Katariya (hockey), Sandeep Narwal (kabaddi), Himani Uttam Parab (mallakhamb) ), Abhishek Verma (shooting), Ankita Raina (tennis), Deepak Punia (wrestling), Dilpreet Singh (hockey), Harmanpreet Singh (hockey), Rupinder Pal Singh (hockey), Surendra Kumar (hockey), Amit Rohidas (hockey) , Birendra Lakra (hockey), Sumit (hockey), Nilakanta Sharma (hockey), Hardik Singh (hockey), Vivek Sagar Prasad (hockey), Gurjant Singh (hockey), Mandeep Singh (hockey), Shamsher Singh (hockey), Lalit Kumar Upadhyay (hockey), Varun Kumar (hockey), Simranjeet Singh (hockey), Yogesh Kathuniya (para-athletics), Nishad Kumar (para-athletics), Praveen Kumar (para-athletics), Suhash Yathiraj (para-badminton), Singhraj Adhana (parashooting), Bhavina Patel (paratable tennis), Harvinder Singh (para-archery) and Sharad Kumar (para-athletics).DHYANCHAND AWARD: OP Jaisha (athletics), Divya Singh (basketball), KC Lekha (boxing), Abhijeet Kunte (chess), Davinder Singh Garcha (hockey), Vikas Kumar (kabaddi), Nir Bahadur Gurung (para sports athletics), PS Abdul Rassak (volleyball) and Sajjan Singh (wrestling) DRONACHARYA (REGULAR): Jai Prakash Nautiyal (para-shooting), Mahaveer Prasad Saini (para-athletics), Pritam Siwach (hockey), Radhakrishnan Nair (athletics), Sandeep Sangwan (hockey) ), Sandhya Gurung (boxing), Sujeet Maan (wrestling) and Subramanian Raman (table tennis).DRONACHARYA (LIFETIME): Ashan Kuamr (kabaddi), Bhaskar Chandra Bhatt (hockey), CR Kumar (hockey), Jagrup Rathi (wrestling), S Muralidharan (badminton), Sarkar Talwar (sports cricket), Sarpal Singh (hockey), Tapan Kumar Panigrahi (swimming) and TP Ouseph (athletics).Also Read- Afghanistan Captain Mohammad Nabi before PC: 5 minute mei English Khatam Ho Jayegi
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have rewarded Olympic Gold medalist Neeraj Chopra with Rs 1 crore for his remarkable achievement- winning gold in the javelin throw at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings also presented a special jersey with the number 8758 (highlighting his medal-winning effort of 87.58m) as a mark of respect rewards declared for neeraj chopra, who joined Abhinav Bindra as only the second individual gold medalist in the sports olympics. "The entire nation is proud of Neeraj for his stupendous achievement. By becoming the first Indian to win a medal (gold) in the track and field, he has set a benchmark and is an inspiration for the next generation. 87.58 is a number that will forever be etched in Indian sporting history and it`s an honour for us to present this special jersey to Neeraj. We wish he brings more glory to the nation," CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan said in an official statement.The one with the Golden boy @Neeraj_chopra1 ! Super happy to hand our to the arms that made us proud!Read : https://t.co/qiiw18aLH6#WhistlePodu #Yellove pic.twitter.com/rMpHwWD2F7— Chennai Super Kings - Mask Pdu Whistle Pdu! (@ChennaiIPL) October 31, 2021The 23-year-old athlete, after receiving the award and special jersey, mentioned that the past two months have been an opportunity for him to experience new things and also thanked the Super Kings management for the support. "Thank you so much for your support and for the prize. It feels good. The last two months have been hectic and an opportunity to experience new things. I never thought that I`ll get so much love after winning gold. It was completely unexpected and it feels good. Hopefully, I`ll work hard and get good results," Chopra said. Meanwhile, automaker Mahindra today handed over the keys of the limited-edition Mahindra XUV700 Javelin Gold Edition model to Neeraj Chopra, who won Gold at the Javelin competition at the Tokyo Olympic 2021. Neeraj Chopra shared the photograph of the SUV on his social media handles. Thank you @anandmahindra ji for the new set of wheels with some very special customisation! I'm looking forward to taking the car out for a spin very soon. pic.twitter.com/doNwgOPogp— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) October 30, 2021The automaker had previously handed over the keys of the same model to Sumit Antil, Gold medal winner for F64 Men's javelin throw at the recently concluded Paralympics 2021. Mahindra handed over the keys to the special edition XUV700 to mark the occasion of the commencement of the deliveries of the new SUV from October 30. The Mahindra XUV700 Gold Edition is designed by Pratap Bose, EVP and Chief Design Officer, M&M and is a custom-made version of the newly launched XUV700 that won the SUV of the Year and Car of the Year categories at the inaugural Zee Auto Awards 2021.Also Read- Attacking Someone Over Religion Is Most Pathetic: Kohli backs Shami
Neeraj Chopra finished 2nd in the Stockholm DL with an 89.94m throwNeeraj broke his own national record of 89.30m set earlier in June in FinlandThis is the first time Neeraj finished in the top 3 in a Diamond League eventNeeraj Chopra returned to the Diamond League for the first time in 4 years by breaking his own national record for the second time in a month. Neeraj finished second with a big throw of 89.94 meters in the Stockholm Diamond League on Thursday, June 30.Tokyo Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra nearly accomplished his 90-meter javelin mission in his first attempt at the Diamond League on Friday.Neeraj Chopra finished second behind defending champion Anderson Peters, who won the competition with the best throw of 90.31 meters.It was an impressive 6-pitch series for Neeraj Chopra who finished third in the Diamond League for the first time: 89.94m, 84.37m, 87.46m, 84.77m, 86, 67m, and 86.84m.Neeraj started the event with a new meet record, a new national record, and her personal best of 89.94 meters. However, world champion Peters did better by this point on his third attempt.German Julian Weber finished third with a throw of 89.08 meters, while Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Jacob Waldijsch finished fourth with a best effort of 88.59 meters.Neeraj participated in 3 Diamond League matches in 2017 and 4 in 2018 and finished fourth twice. The gathering was the largest in the Swedish capital ahead of the World Championships and Commonwealth Games in July.Neeraj has been in perfect shape since returning to the competition earlier this month. The Olympic champion from Tokyo took time to improve his fitness and preparations before returning and began throwing his star javelin ahead of the world championships that begin on July 15 in Eugene, weeks before he is due to attend the Olympics. The Commonwealth of Birmingham is in full swing.Neeraj returned to play on June 14 with a throw of 89.30 meters, setting a new national record at the Pavo Nurmi Games, a continental tour event in Turku, Finland. In doing so, he broke his previous record of 88.07 meters from 2021.After 3 days, he finished top of the podium after avoiding slippery conditions at the Curtin Games with the best throw of 86.69 meters.Also Read -
India’s Neeraj Chopra has breezed through to the men’s javelin final after an impressive qualification round.The 26-year-old qualified in first place with a season-best throw of 89.34m.“It was a good throw. Maybe the biggest ever in qualifying for me. All the throwers look in good shape. The final will be a really good competition for sure,” he said after qualifying.Chopra will be looking to add yet another medal to his growing list of achievements in Paris, as he continues to cement himself as one of the brightest talents in track and field.After winning Olympic gold in Tokyo three years ago – the first Asian athlete to do so in the javelin – Chopra was crowned world champion in Budapest last year, becoming the first Indian to win a world title in a track and field event of any kind.It perhaps comes as no surprise, given his historic career to date, that the understated athlete has proven a hit back in India.Also Read: Which country will win most medals at Paris Olympics?
Neeraj Chopra's Tokyo Journey: A Tale of Grace, Greatness, and Unwavering DeterminationNeeraj Chopra's journey to Olympic success wasn't a mere dream; it was the result of three years of relentless dedication and consistent performance. At just 26 years old, Chopra has delivered remarkable results at two World Championships, an Asian Games, and now, at the Tokyo Olympics, Indians are beginning to realize just how fortunate they are to witness such an extraordinary talent.The 2024 Olympics have exposed India's shortcomings in sports, with only four bronze medals across two disciplines and a series of heartbreaking 4th place finishes in the first ten days in Paris. The thought of a silver or gold medal seemed almost impossible, especially after the tragic turn of events with Vinesh Phogat. Yet, amidst the gloom and doubt, Neeraj Chopra emerged, delivering a silver medal on a day when Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem threw an Olympic record of 92.97m to win his country's first-ever individual gold medal.With an almost surreal confidence, India began to entertain the possibility of gold. This newfound ambition, the calm assurance, and the ease with which people now consider the idea of contending for gold, marks a significant shift in a nation that has long been self-conscious about its meager Olympic medal count.However, there were no guarantees—this was the Olympics, after all. But in these Games, India experienced both the best and worst of times, with Neeraj Chopra ensuring the former. In the wake of the Vinesh Phogat shock and with few medals outside of Chateauroux, Chopra became the nation's only beacon of hope for gold.India's golden era in hockey is a distant memory, and with just two individual golds in nearly a century of Olympic participation, there was little reason for India to dream of gold. Yet, Chopra's Tokyo journey was no fluke. It took three years of consistent brilliance for Indians to start believing in the exceptional talent they have in Neeraj Chopra—a true force in the world of track and field.Chopra is not one to indulge in the national pastime of underperforming on the global stage. His success stands in stark contrast to the self-criticism that often follows India's sports failures. Unaccustomed to such elite greatness, Indians are still getting used to the idea of seeing one of their own consistently on the podium, though they haven't yet developed an entitlement to gold every time—thankfully.The humble and unfazed Chopra has established a unique, toxicity-free bond with his countrymen. They watch him chase gold without overwhelming him with unrealistic expectations, while Chopra, in turn, consistently delivers performances that leave the nation in awe. He's managed to keep the often-criticized Indian sports fans grounded and content, even as the prospect of a 90+ meter throw in Paris looms.Unlike cricket, where millions of young Indians aspire to follow in the footsteps of their heroes, javelin isn't a sport that sees thousands flocking to replicate Chopra's success. Yet, there is a growing realization that we are witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime global phenomenon. Chopra carries no airs, preferring to spend his time training with athletes from various disciplines and devoting months to honing his craft in quiet isolation abroad.Chopra remains immune to controversies—political or personal—because he approaches them with sincerity and decency, snuffing out any attempts at creating mischief. This approach may be a bit dull for the sensationalism-driven Indian media, but it works spectacularly for Chopra.His love for javelin is unwavering, and he dedicates entire seasons to perfecting his technique, undistracted by fame or arrogance. He makes the occasional appearance in TV commercials, meets people with genuine warmth, supports friends like Vinesh Phogat in their times of need, and pursues excellence without succumbing to the trappings of celebrity.Make no mistake, Neeraj Chopra is aware of his unique position. He knows that he is adored as long as he continues to bring home medals. But he is not beholden to anyone's expectations. He doesn't flaunt false humility or bow down to those in power. Instead, he quietly goes about his business, delivering on the big stage time and time again.At the age of 20, Chopra said, "If you think about the big numbers and names, you're competing only against the others. To me, what's important is that I compete against the best I have within me and try to beat that. Everything else will fall in place." Within himself, Chopra found his ambition, and in Chopra, India found its symbol of graceful greatness.FAQs About Neeraj Chopra and His JourneyWhat made Neeraj Chopra's Tokyo journey special?Neeraj Chopra's Tokyo journey was the culmination of three years of relentless dedication and consistent performance, leading to a historic silver medal at the Olympics.How has Neeraj Chopra impacted Indian sports?Neeraj Chopra has changed the narrative around Indian sports, instilling belief in a nation that has long struggled with Olympic success.What was Neeraj Chopra's biggest achievement in Tokyo?Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal in the javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics, reaffirming his status as one of India's greatest athletes.How does Neeraj Chopra handle pressure and expectations?Chopra remains calm and focused, avoiding unnecessary distractions and controversies, and dedicating himself entirely to his sport.What is Neeraj Chopra's approach to training?Chopra is known for his rigorous training regimen, often spending months abroad to perfect his technique and maintain consistency.Why is Neeraj Chopra's success significant for India?Chopra's success is significant because it represents a shift in India's mindset, from accepting mediocrity to believing in the possibility of Olympic greatness.How has Neeraj Chopra remained humble despite his fame?Chopra stays grounded by focusing on his love for javelin and avoiding the trappings of celebrity life, maintaining genuine relationships with those around him.What challenges did Neeraj Chopra face on his journey?Chopra faced the usual challenges of elite sports, including injuries and intense competition, but his determination and focus helped him overcome them.What advice has Neeraj Chopra given to aspiring athletes?Chopra emphasizes the importance of competing against oneself, striving to improve with each performance rather than focusing solely on beating others.What is Neeraj Chopra's legacy in Indian sports?Neeraj Chopra's legacy is that of a trailblazer who has redefined Indian sports, showing that consistent hard work and dedication can lead to global greatness.
LAUSANNE: Indian javelin sensation Neeraj Chopra delivered a remarkable performance in the Lausanne Diamond League, securing second place with a season-best throw of 89.49m. The 26-year-old's gritty display comes amidst ongoing fitness concerns, including a long-standing groin injury.Neeraj Chopra's Performance HighlightsChopra's performance was nothing short of impressive as he overcame a challenging start. Initially ranked fourth, he managed to move up the ranks with a throw of 85.58m in his fifth attempt. However, he saved his best for the last, launching his spear to an impressive 89.49m, narrowly surpassing his previous season-best of 89.45m, achieved during the Paris Olympics.His performance kept him in the running for the final round, as only the top three competitors after five rounds advance to the last attempt. Despite some concerns about his fitness, Chopra's mental toughness and determination were on full display.Competitors and ResultsThe event was dominated by two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who won with a massive throw of 90.61m in the second round. Germany's Julian Weber claimed third place with a throw of 87.08m.Peters' dominant performance solidified his place as a top contender in the Diamond League standings, while Chopra's strong showing earned him seven points, placing him joint third in the standings with a total of 15 points, tied with Weber. Peters leads the standings with 21 points, followed by Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic, who is in second place with 16 points after finishing seventh in Lausanne with a throw of 82.03m.Neeraj Chopra's ReactionAfter the event, Chopra expressed satisfaction with his performance, stating, "The feeling wasn't great at first, but I am happy with my throw, especially the second-best throw of my career on my last attempt. It was a tough start, but the comeback was really nice, and I enjoyed the fighting spirit I showed."Chopra emphasized the importance of mental resilience at such a high level of competition, particularly when his earlier throws were only in the 80-83m range. However, he pushed through in the final two attempts, finishing strong and securing his place in the top three.Chopra's Ongoing Groin InjuryChopra has been managing a groin injury since winning gold at the Budapest World Championships last year. Despite this, he continues to compete at an elite level. Earlier in the Paris Olympics, he claimed a silver medal, adding to his historic gold from the Tokyo Games three years ago. Notably, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97m, edging out Chopra for the gold in Paris. However, Nadeem was absent from the Lausanne field.Chopra had confirmed his participation in the Lausanne Diamond League only after deciding to postpone surgery until the end of the season. He has previously won the Lausanne leg in 2022 and 2023 and finished second in last year's Diamond League final in Eugene, USA, behind Vadlejch.Upcoming Diamond League EventsChopra's performance in Lausanne keeps him in contention for the Diamond League finals, scheduled for September 14 in Brussels. To qualify for the finale, Chopra needs to finish in the top six of the series standings. Before that, he will have another opportunity to secure his place in the final at the Zurich Diamond League on September 5, which also features a men's javelin throw event.This season, Chopra is yet to clinch a Diamond League win, finishing second in Doha earlier this year, also behind Vadlejch. However, with his season-best performance in Lausanne, Chopra continues to prove why he remains one of the most formidable javelin throwers on the global stage.Also Read: In Indias Paris Dickensian Olympics, Neeraj Chopras silver launches him into countrys....
