Golden Boy Neeraj Chopra Slept With Gold Medal Beside His Pillow

Neeraj Chopra is the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for India in athletics. Neeraj said, "I kept my medal beside my pillow."

(File Photo)

Neeraj Chopra created history by winning a gold medal in the Javelin throw at the Tokyo Olympics. Neeraj is the first Indian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal for India in athletics. Neeraj said he could not sleep well due to the difference in the time zone for the first two days after reaching Tokyo. But after winning on Saturday, he was very happy and slept comfortably by placing his gold medal beside his pillow.

Neeraj is the second athlete after Abhinav Bindra to win gold for the country in individual events. Golden boy Neeraj Chopra said, "I kept my medal beside my pillow. I was extremely happy with my victory but at the same time, I was very tired too. So Saturday night I could sleep well."

Chopra added, "I had reached Tokyo directly from Sweden. There is a huge difference in the time zone of both places. That's why I had a lot of trouble sleeping on the first two days. But now it doesn't matter, because I have a medal now."

Indian National Anthem played for the first time at track and field stadium 

With Neeraj's gold medal win in the Javelin throw, India's national anthem echoed at the Track and Field Stadium for the very first time. Neeraj said that it was a wonderful feeling when he was on the podium listening to the national anthem of India. He said, "It was a hugely different experience. Our National Anthem was playing at the Olympic Stadium. I can't explain my feelings in words of what I experienced at that time."

Gold medal was the target 

Neeraj Chopra had almost secured a medal for the country by covering a distance of 87.03 metres in his first attempt at the Javelin throw event played on Saturday. Neeraj then put on a better performance in his second attempt by scoring 87.58 m distance, which finally secured him the gold medal. According to Neeraj, his aim during the whole event was to win a gold medal. He said, "After my first two throws, I was pretty sure I was winning a medal, but my target was a gold medal and so I gave my 100 per cent in this competition. Before the last throw, I knew I had won the gold and after that my experience was completely different."