Athletics: Neeraj Chopra – the new World Champion who has now conquered it all

The distance of 88.17 metres. That’s a figure, along with 87.58 metres, that will go down as one of the most iconic in Indian sports history. The latter helped the country win its first Olympic gold medal in athletics.

But on Sunday night, Neeraj Chopra hurled his 800 gram javelin to 88.17 meters to win India’s first World Athletics Championships gold medal.

Like he has known in countless athletics meets throughout his career, Chopra knew he had the winning throw the moment the spear left his hand.

On a balmy, windless night in Budapest, Hungary, Chopra turned to face the crowd. Arms raised, he let out a roar that echoed around the National Athletics Centre after his second attempt. That throw of 88.17 metres would not be surpassed on the night Chopra would fill his trophy cabinet with the one gold medal that had so far eluded him.

His impressive collection of accolades now boasts gold medals from the World Championships, Olympics Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Athletics Championships, Diamond League Final and Junior World Championships.

At the age of 25, he has won all the major titles in his sport.

World Junior Championships✅
Commonwealth Games✅
Asian Games✅
Olympics✅
Diamond League✅
World Championships✅

Neeraj Chopra has them all in the bag????

????: AFP pic.twitter.com/z9a7Ezx0ZR— The Field (@thefield_in) August 27, 2023

It’s a tally a rare few will...

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