As star javelinthrower Neeraj Chopra created history by becoming the second Indian to winindividual gold at Olympics, Hindi film personalities Lata Mangeshkar, AkshayKumar, Ajay Devgn, Taapsee Pannu and others praised the young athlete formaking the country "proud".
Neeraj Chopra said, “Icame here with a mindset to do something different for the nation. This medalis dedicated to legendary Milka Singh ji.”
"It feelsunbelievable. It is the first time India has won a gold in athletics, so I feelvery good. We have just one gold here in other sports," the 23-year-oldsaid after winning the historic gold.
"This is ourfirst Olympic medal for a very long time, and in athletics it is the first timewe have gold, so it's a proud moment for me and my country."
Asked if he was surprised to win gold which also featured German great JohannesVetter, he said, "In the qualification round I threw very well so I knew Icould do better in the final."
"(But) I didn't know it would be gold but I am very happy."
PM Modi congratulated Neeraj and wrote on Twitter, "History has beenscripted at Tokyo! What Neeraj Chopra has achieved today will be rememberedforever. The young Neeraj has done exceptionally well. He played withremarkable passion and showed unparalleled grit. Congratulations to him forwinning the Gold."
The23-year-old farmer's son from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana produceda second-round throw of 87.58m in the finals to end India's 100-year wait for atrack and field medal in the Olympics. Chopra won the country's seventh medaland first gold at Tokyo Olympics and joined shooter Abhinav Bindra (2008Beijing Games) as India's individual gold winners in the showpiece.