Panipat: Scripting history by clinching a silver in the 18th World Athletics Championships, Neeraj Chopra is the man of the hour as the entire nation celebrates his victory. Chopra's hometown in Haryana is beaming with celebrations with his family, neighbours and relatives distributing sweets and dancing with joy as the 24-year-old added yet another feather to his cap with this win -- registering himself as the only second Indian athlete to have won a World Athletics Championships medal.
Apart from his family, people from across Chopra's native village of Khandara had been looking forward to today's Javelin Throw match, and are elated at the results. All the villagers had made it a point to watch the match that began early this morning.
Chopra's father, Satish Kumar, expressed pride in his son for bringing this victory to the nation. "We are all very proud of him. The entire nation is celebrating," he said. Further adding that he is the only second person after Anju Bobby George -- who had won a bronze in 2003 -- to have won this medal, he said he is happy that Neeraj could bring silver to the country.
Speaking about Neeraj's preparations before the match, his father said that he was confident about the match. " When I last spoke to him over call, he said he will try his best to win and break his own record. He was confident that he will make the country proud and he delivered quite well. Although he could not secure a gold medal, I am sure there are more feats in the future waiting for him," he said. Asked what are Chopra's further plans career-wise, Satish said that he is currently focused on the upcoming Olympics while other things have taken a backseat for now.
