'Delhi ki hawa main hai': Gold Medalist Navdeep Opens Up on His Virat Kohli-Like Celebration

Indian javelin star Navdeep Singh made the nation proud by clinching the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw (F41) event at the 2024 Paralympic Games. His incredible performance and intense on-field celebration quickly went viral, drawing comparisons to Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli . 

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Navdeep Singh on his Virat Kohli -like celebration

In an exclusive interview with Republic Media Network, Navdeep Singh shared his thoughts on the now-famous celebration, which fans and observers alike have dubbed a " Virat Kohli moment."

Both Navdeep and Kohli hail from Delhi, a city known for its vibrant and passionate spirit, which is often reflected in their fiery on-field personas. Speaking about the comparison to Kohli, Navdeep admitted that his celebration came naturally, attributing it to the distinct energy of their shared hometown.

"When I was competing, my mind was blank and I had no idea what I was doing. I wasn't copying anyone, it was something that came spontaneously. You can say it's in Delhi's air, so that reaction came naturally," Navdeep explained. 

“Many people have matched the timing of my action with Virat Kohli 's celebration, and it looks similar, so it feels really good that on the international stage we're showing the country's power and aggression.”

"It feels really good to show how much enthusiasm the youth have and what we can do. On an international stage, we’re showing the country’s power and aggression, and that makes me really proud," he added.

Navdeep Singh's path to the gold was not without its own drama. Initially set to secure a silver medal behind Iran’s Sadegh Beit Sayah, Navdeep’s fortunes changed when Sayah was disqualified by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for "unsporting or improper conduct." During the broadcast, Sayah was seen pulling out a black flag from his bag after his victory, which was interpreted as a political gesture, leading to his disqualification.

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With Sayah out of contention, Navdeep was elevated to the top spot, securing the gold medal in a historic moment for Indian sports.