In a recent milestone, Neeraj surpassed superstar sprinter Usain Bolt to become the most written-about athlete in 2022 for the first time...
Digital Desk: With his successes in the javelin throw for India, Neeraj Chopra has sparked international interest. Already a sensation in India, he has emerged as the athletic face of the country. In a recent milestone, Neeraj surpassed superstar sprinter Usain Bolt to become the most written-about athlete in 2022 for the first time.
Neeraj, 24, had a spectacular year in javelin throw, finishing second at the world championships in Eugene, Oregon, and became only the second Indian to capture a medal at such a high level after Anju Bobby George's bronze medal in the women's long jump in 2003. He also became India's first athlete to win the Diamond League final in the javelin, claiming gold with a huge throw of 88.44m.
According to World Athletics, which cited data from media analysis firm Unicepta, Neeraj leads the popularity charts with 812 articles, greater than a trio of Jamaican women sprint stars, Elaine Thompson-Herah (751 articles), Shelley-Ann Fraser-Pryce (698) and Shericka Jackson (679), with Bolt featuring in 574.
"2022 looks and feels very different to me," said World Athletics President Sebastian Coe.
"It's an interesting one. For the first time this year, Usain Bolt did not top the list of the most written-about athletes of the year," Coe said in a briefing with international news agencies.
"For me, it is a fantastic example of tenacity and fortitude and simply resolve to continue at the top of their game and they (athletes) have done that," he added.
"It is entirely due to their efforts that athletics has begun to regain appeal and acquire additional broadcast hours," Coe said.
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