Germany’s javelin superstar Johannes Vetter, who had predicted in 2018 that Neeraj Chopra would be the next big thing in the sport, said he was happy for the Indian athlete.
“He (Neeraj) is a really talented guy, always really friendly. I am happy for him,” Vetter said after his shock exit from the event on Saturday.
He also suggested that Chopra had developed a new blocking technique which could have helped the Indian in coming up with big throws.
“He (Neeraj) has another blocking technique as he showed in the qualification. He did a great job,” said Vetter, who had predicted three years ago that Chopra would be one of the stars in the world arena and will throw 90m plus in the near future.
The feat by the newest sultan of the spear was hailed by Indian athletes with shooter Abhinav Bindra, the first individual gold winner for the country, saying javelin would now hog the limelight.
Bindra, who won a shooting gold in Beijing 2008, tweeted: “And Gold it is for @Neeraj_chopra1.Take a bow, young man ! You have fulfilled a nation’s dream. Thank you!
Also, welcome to the club — a much needed addition! Extremely proud. I am so delighted for you.”
The 38-year-old also posted a letter to Neeraj as one Olympic gold medallist to another: “Javelin throw might not be the most followed sporting discipline in India but your historic achievement has brought it to the limelight, capturing the imagination of billions watching at home. The impact your victory will create on promoting your sport amongst the country’s youth is immeasurable.”
Long jumper Anju Bobby George, who won bronze in the 2003 World Championships, wrote on Twitter: “We are all smiling and crying. Thank you for giving us this wonderful moment.”
Leander Paes, the only Indian to win an Olympic tennis medal (bronze from Atlanta 1996), hailed Neeraj’s performance while speaking to The Telegraph. “This was an excellent way to sign off from the Tokyo Games,” the tennis ace said. “What a fantastic performance by the young Neeraj. You know nothing can match that feeling of winning a gold for the country and seeing the Tricolour being hoisted.”
An emotional Jeev Milkha Singh, the golfer son of sprint legend Milkha Singh, who narrowly missed a medal in the 1960 Games, tweeted “what a show”, saying: “Dad waited so many years for this to happen. His dream has finally come true with India’s first athletic gold. I am crying as I tweet this. And I am sure dad is crying up above.”
Later, he also wrote: “Not only did you win us a first-ever athletics gold medal in the #OlympicGames, you even dedicated it to my father. The Milkha family is eternally grateful for this honour.”
Neeraj’s fellow medallists Mirabai Chanu and PV Sindhu also congratulated him.
