New Delhi: As India's national record holder in Javelin Throw, Neeraj Chopra, achieved a historic feat on Saturday by securing a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind were among the first to congratulate the athlete and the country over the same.


PM Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind took to Twitter to extend their congratulatory messages lauding Neeraj Chopra.


ALSO READ | Tokyo 2020: History Made! Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold Medal In Javelin Throw At Tokyo Olympics

"History has been scripted at Tokyo! What Neeraj Chopra has achieved today will be remembered forever. The young Neeraj has done exceptionally well. He played with remarkable passion and showed unparalleled grit. Congratulations to him for winning the Gold," PM Modi tweeted.



"Unprecedented win by Neeraj Chopra! Your javelin gold breaks barriers and creates history. You bring home first-ever track and field medal to India in your first Olympics. Your feat will inspire our youth. India is elated! Heartiest congratulations," President Ram Nath Kovind wrote on Twitter.



Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the win a "Proud and historic moment!".


"Many congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for getting India a gold medal in the Olympics. Every Indian is proud of the respect you have brought to the country with your hard work and dedication. The whole of India is delighted with this extraordinary achievement of yours," he wrote in Hindi.



Union Minister for I&B and Youth Affairs & Sports Anurag Thakur lauded Neeraj as India's "golden boy". "Your superbly soaring throw deserves a Billion Cheers! Your name will be etched in the history books with golden letters," he added.






 

Talking to news agency ANI, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said: "Let me be the first congratulate Neeraj Chopra for his outstanding performance. It's a historic win and a great achievement with highest ever tally in Olympics".




Chopra's main competition was the German Johannes Vetter but he crashed out after just three throws. Chopra has picked up India's first-ever medal in Track and Field event. This is also India's first gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. 


Chopra's first throw went for 87.03 meters, second for 87.58 meters while the third throw was 79.79 meters. 


It is the first Gold medal after the 2008 Beijing Olympics for India. Abhinav Bindra was the last person to win a gold medal for the nation.