As star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra created history by becoming the second Indian to win individual gold at Olympics, Hindi film personalities Lata Mangeshkar, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Taapsee Pannu and others praised the young athlete for making the country "proud".
Neeraj Chopra said, “I came here with a mindset to do something different for the nation. This medal is dedicated to legendary Milka Singh ji.”
"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 23-year-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."
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."
PM Modi congratulated Neeraj and wrote on Twitter, "History has been
scripted at Tokyo! What Neeraj Chopra has achieved today will be remembered
forever. The young Neeraj has done exceptionally well. He played with
remarkable passion and showed unparalleled grit. Congratulations to him for
winning the Gold."
Also read: Historic! Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra wins India’s first gold in Tokyo 2020 Olympics
The 23-year-old farmer's son from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana produced a second-round throw of 87.58m in the finals to end India's 100-year wait for a track and field medal in the Olympics. Chopra won the country's seventh medal and first gold at Tokyo Olympics and joined shooter Abhinav Bindra (2008 Beijing Games) as India's individual gold winners in the showpiece.