Indian Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra topped the final at Tokyo Olympics and brought the first gold medal to the county in the major tournament. The 23-year-old has scripted history as he earned India's first-ever Olympic athletics medal.
Neeraj has brought second individual gold after Abhinav Bindra in Beijing Olympics 2008. This year India has earned 7 medals – one gold, two silver and four bronze. Neeraj Chopra got emotional after winning the Gold medal and dedicated the medal to legendary athlete Milkha Singh, aka The Flying Sikh.
It was Milkha Singh’s dream to clinch an Olympics Gold and he was close to winning a medal in the 1960 Olympics but was left disappointed. Jeev Milkha, an Indian golfer and son of Milka Singh expressed that Milka Singh always wanted to earn an Olympics Gold medal before he takes his last breath and on Friday Neeraj Chopra fulfilled his dream.
Jeev Milkha Singh said, “Dad from above is crying with joy. His dream has come true. Crying as I write this message. Proud moment for India! Salute him for his determination and hard work. God bless.”
Chopra dedicated his gold to the legendary sprinter who placed fourth in the 1960 Rome Olympics. "Milkha Singh wanted to hear the national anthem played at a stadium. He is no longer with us, but his dream has been fulfilled," Chopra said.
Also Read: “I came here to do something different”; Neeraj Chopra gets emotional after winning the Gold medal
As Neeraj threw 87.58 metres in his second try at the javelin throw final, India’s 120 year-long waits came to an end.
Milkha Singh's son, star golfer Jeev Milkha Singh, reacted to this dedication and said that his family will be eternally thankful for Chopra's gesture. "Not only did you win us our first-ever gold medal in athletics at the #OlympicGames, but you also dedicated it to my father. The Milkha family is eternally grateful for this honour," he said on Twitter.
Milkha Singh, a legendary athlete who had tested positive for COVID-19, died on June 19. After his oxygen level began to drop, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Fortis Hospital in Mohali on May 24. After testing positive for the deadly virus, the 91-year-old was kept in home isolation at his Chandigarh home.