Neeraj Chopra, the shining star of Indian athletics, has once again made headlines with his outstanding performance at the World Athletics Championships 2023. At just 25, Neeraj's trophy cabinet boasts of an Olympic Gold, a Diamond League Gold, the Asian Games Gold, and a Commonwealth Games Gold. Yet, the humble athlete refrains from being labelled as the GOAT, instead pointing towards legends like Jan Zelezny, who holds the world record of 33 throws over 90m.
"Everyone was saying that only the World Championships Gold was missing. I have got it now. But there is a lot more to improve, there are a lot more good throws to come. If we talk about the greatest, then throwers like (Jan) Zelezny are there," Neeraj stated during the press conference after his gold-winning feats.
India's Growing Presence in World Athletics
India's presence in World Athletics is becoming increasingly prominent, and Neeraj Chopra is at the forefront of this movement. His achievements have not only brought him personal accolades but have also inspired a generation of Indian athletes to dream big and achieve greatness on the global stage.
On a fateful day in Tokyo, Neeraj's 87.56m javelin throw instilled a belief in fellow track and field athletes that they too could reach such heights. This belief was further solidified when, at the World Championships in Budapest, three Indians, including Kishore Jena and DP Manu, finished inside the top-6 in the men's javelin final.
Neeraj Chopra: An inspiration beyond borders
Neeraj's influence isn't limited to India. Arshad Nadeem, the 26-year-old javelin thrower from Pakistan, clinched a silver in Budapest and has never shied away from expressing his admiration for Neeraj. Their camaraderie showcases the power of sports to bridge divides and foster friendships.
More than just medals
Beyond his athletic prowess, Neeraj Chopra stands out for his humility and sportsmanship. After one of his most significant career achievements, he took the time to apologise to reporters for a slight delay and went on to praise fellow athletes Kishore and Manu for their efforts in Budapest. He also highlighted the need for better infrastructure, like Mondo synthetic tracks, to elevate the standards of Indian athletics.
The journey ahead for Neeraj Chopra
While many believe Neeraj is already worthy of the GOAT title, he remains focused on the future. "The most important thing is we have throws. There is a saying 'throwers don't have a finishing line'. We always have to push ourselves, the more medals you win, there is more motivation to push yourself harder," Neeraj remarked.
His vision is clear: to continue pushing boundaries, to win more medals, and to inspire more athletes from India to finish on the podium. As fans and supporters of World Athletics, we can only marvel at Neeraj's dedication and hope he continues to shine on the global stage.
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World Athletics Championship: Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Jena, DP Manu finish in top-6 as India revel in Javelin Throw glory
WATCH: Neeraj Chopra's historic moment as his throw wins India its first gold at the World Athletics Championship
