Neeraj Chopra wins historic athletics gold as India record best ever haul of 7 medals

Neeraj Chopra is only 23 and he was playing in his first Olympics. A javelin thrower with a huge reputation, Chopra was one of India's brightest medal prospects at the Tokyo Games. He had won medals before but when you are at the Olympics, you have to deal with immense pressure.

Neeraj Chopra was expected to win a medal in a track and field event, something no Indian had done in the post-Independence era. But he was assured right from the start. Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to top the qualification in the men's javelin throw with his first attempt of 86.65 meters in Group A. Once in the final, India knew it had a medal.  But could he win gold?

7: India records its best-ever medal tally at Tokyo Olympics

Well, Neeraj did win gold and with style. If you were not impressed with his first attempt of 87.03m, he recorded 87.58m in his second. The third attempt was a poor 76.79m and his 6th and final attempt was for 84.24m. But by then, he had won gold for India.

It is natural to be tensed in the finals of the Olympics unless you are Usain Bolt who would wake up from his sleep to win gold medals. Neeraj showed similar swag. Was he really that relaxed? Turns out, he was.

Those in the know claimed Neeraj slept like a baby on the eve of his javelin final. Before going to sleep, Neeraj told his team he had done what he needed to do and was he was sure of giving his best on Saturday.

Neeraj had of course won medals at big events before. He had trained for this moment for years. But imagine soaking in the pressure of the Olympics. You just walk in and win a medal. It



obviously is not that simple and that is what makes this feat so much more impressive. Neeraj Chopra made it look simple and he was way ahead of the pack.

Not focussed on rivals, Neeraj becomes peerless Indian great

After he had won gold, Neeraj told the media he wanted to set an Olympic record and he wasn't thinking of a gold medal. His focus was to do his best. How were his rivals doing? Neeraj Chopra wasn't worried about that. The young man was just focused on his goal.

Neeraj prepared for the biggest match of his career with such diligence that he never felt the pressure. He was relaxed and had a sound night's sleep. On the big night, he did not even feel the pressure of competing with the big stars.

"Even during the Olympics I didn't feel like I was competing in something new because of those competitions. I wasn't under pressure of competing with the rest of the javelin stars," Neeraj said.

Maybe, Neeraj did not feel the pressure at the time and it showed. He was a delight to watch. But once the medal had come, Neeraj realised this would take some time to soak in. In an interview with India Today, Neeraj Chopra said he will realise the magnitude of this victory once he is back home.

About that, Neeraj is right. The Haryana government, BCCI and Chennai Super Kings have announced huge cash rewards. Anand Mahindra has promised to give him a top-of-the-line SUV from his brand and the accolades are pouring in from PM Modi to Sachin Tendulkar.

Neeraj Chopra is now a household name in India. But he would have gone back to his hotel room and slept soundly again.