Watch Celebrations in Neeraj Chopra’s Hometown After Javelin Star Wins Silver

Paris Olympics 2024: Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal in the finals of the men’s javelin throw in the ongoing 33rd Summer Games. Neeraj, who won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, ended his 6 throws with a silver medal in this Olympics. With this achievement, he also became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win medals at consecutive Olympics. Moreover, his javelin reached the 89.45-meter mark, which was also his season's best throw.

With this, he has now placed himself in the esteemed group of Indian athletes who have won multiple individual medals at the Olympics, joining the ranks of Sushil Kumar (2008 & 2012) in Wrestling and P.V. Sindhu(2016 & 2020) in Badminton. The entire country is celebrating his victory, and there is a festive atmosphere in his village. People are sharing sweets and bursting firecrackers. Below are the visuals from his native place.

Check out the celebrations: 

Neeraj had 6 chances to throw the javelin, with the best one counting. His first throw was a foul and did not count according to the rules, but in his second attempt, he secured the silver medal. With an 89.45-meter throw, he achieved his season's best performance. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem secured the gold medal by setting a new Olympic record of 92.97 metres. Neeraj’s other four throws were also ruled illegal as he crossed the line before the javelin landed.

Neeraj Chopra’s father, Satish Kumar, said, “He has won silver for the country; we are happy and proud... All the youth will be inspired by him.” He also hinted that a groin injury might have affected Neeraj’s performance, preventing him from achieving a longer throw. 

It was the season's best effort from the Indian, topping his qualification throw of 89.34m, but nowhere close to being enough for gold.  Nonetheless, Chopra became only the third Indian and the first in track and field to win back-to-back individual Olympic medals.

Only wrestler Sushil Kumar (2008 and 2012) and shuttler PV Sindhu (2016 and 2021) have won back-to-back Olympic medals.

(With PTI Inputs)