Neeraj Chopra's historic World's silver medal is praised by PM Modi as a "special moment."

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 24, 2022 | Sourav Boruah

 Digital Desk: On
Sunday, Neeraj Chopra received a congratulations from Prime Minister Narendra
Modi for earning India's first-ever silver medal at the World Athletics
Championships. Neeraj became the first man and the second Indian athlete (after
Anju Boby George) to win a medal at the World Championships with a throw of
88.13 metres in the men's javelin final. In the women's long jump, George had
taken home a bronze medal in 2003.

"One of our
most accomplished athletes has accomplished a fantastic feat! Thank you for
your support as @Neeraj chopra1 won a historic Silver medal at the
#WorldChampionships. This is a significant occasion in Indian sports. Best of
luck to Neeraj in his future endeavours "PM Modi tweeted.

Chopra's start
was unnerving and odd, as he had a foul throw to begin and then had throws of
82.39 metres and 86.37 metres to finish fourth after three rounds.

To the great relief of the Indian delegation and the throngs of
his admirers back home, however, he regained his rhythm and jumped up to second
position, which he held onto until the very end, with a strong throw in the
fourth round of 88.13m, his fourth career-best effort.

His throws number five and six were fouls.

 With a second-round throw of 87.58 metres, Chopra earned the gold
medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He just required a first-round
throw of 88.39 metres to finish in second place and advance to the finals.