Neeraj Chopra
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra said that the feeling of clinching gold at the Tokyo Olympics hadn't sunk in until he witnessed the rousing reception on his return to India on Monday.
Chopra became not just India's first Olympic gold-medallist in 13 years but also the first track and field athlete to achieve the feat. It was Chopra's second attempt of 87.58m in the finals of the javelin throw event that fetched him the gold.
"Every athlete dreams of winning a medal in the Olympics and there's no better feeling than clinching the gold. It was like a dream when I won the final. I was looking at the gold medal to sink in the feeling. Once I returned, the reception I got made me realise the feat I've achieved in Tokyo," said Chopra in the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) felicitation program in Delhi.
Chopra also said that joining the national camp was the turning point of his career. "When I was selected for the national camp after national games 2015/16 it was a turning point in my sports career. Before that I used to cook myself, we trained properly but the good facilities I only got after coming to the training camp," he said.
"I used to get motivation seeing my senior athletes. There was a different feeling of training among the best athletes in the countries. I just worked hard and the result is here."
Athletics Federation of India also asked its state members to organize javelin throw competitions pan India every year on August 7 -- the day on which Chopra achieved an unpreceedented feat at the Games.
"I was in a good rhythm on the day of the final. I was trying to exceed my ability, and as soon as my second throw went well, I decided to not take any further risks. I did not stress myself because I knew that I almost had confirmed the gold for the country," Neeraj further said.
Also Read: How missing 2019 World Championships made Neeraj Chopra Olympic Champion
Citing Anju Bobby George's example, the Olympic gold medallist further said that his next goal is to win the world championships. Breaching the 90m mark in the near future also remains one of Neeraj's objectives.
He also thanked everyone who supported him during his preparations for the Tokyo showpiece.
"I thank AFI, SAI, TOPS, Indian Army and my sponsor JSW sports who helped me every time and due to their contributions are I am here. I also thank our federation for continuing my camp even during the COVID-19 pandemic and our staff in NIS. Due to their support, my training went smoothly amid the pandemic," said Chopra.
Just before the felicitation function, Anju Bobby tweeted, "Such a delight to meet @Neeraj_chopra1 and his parents today. Thank you for giving us the moment that the nation will be celebrating for a long time."
Earlier on Monday, the star javelin thrower was honoured at the felicitation ceremony organised by sports minister Anurag Thakur. Chopra was given a red carpet welcome as fans poured in to welcome their Olympics hero at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Also Read: Neeraj Chopra recalls the throw that won him historic gold
India won seven medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics - 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze -- to go one better of their medal haul at the 2012 London Olympics. Chopra's gold also helped India amass its highest-ever medal tally at the Games.
While the 23-year-old Chopra added the golden sheen to his campaign in Tokyo, Mirabai Chanu and wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya bagged silver medals. The bronze medals were won by boxer Lovlina Borgohain, shuttler P V Sindhu, the men's hockey team and wrestler Bajrang Punia.
