India’s Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon with a best throw of 88.13m, which he registered with his fourth attempt.
Grenada’s Anderson Peters won the gold medal with a best throw of 90.54m. Peters threw 90.21m in his first attempt and then bettered it in his second at 90.46m. He then registered his best throw in his sixth attempt, to successfully defend his world title. Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch won bronze with a best throw of 88.09m, while Germany’s Julian Weber finished 4th with a best attempt of 86.86m.
Neeraj also became India’s first ever track and field athlete to take the silver medal in the World Championships, and second to bag a podium finish after the legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George had finished third in the Paris Worlds in 2003.
The 21-year-old Indian had recorded a season’s and personal best of 82.54m while winning a silver at the National Inter-State Championships last month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday heaped praises on Neeraj Chopra after he clinched the silver medal.
Taking to Twitter, PM Modi tweeted, “A great accomplishment by one of our most distinguished athletes! Congratulations to @Neeraj_chopra1 on winning a historic Silver medal at the #WorldChampionships. This is a special moment for Indian sports. Best wishes to Neeraj for his upcoming endeavours.”