Watch: This medal is for whole of India, says Neeraj Chopra on winning gold at World Athletics Championships

NEW DELHI: Beaming with joy after becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, a satisfied Neeraj Chopra thanked all countrymen for their unflinching support saying that the medal is for the whole of India.


"I would like to thank every Indian, because they are staying up all night to support me. This medal is for them. I became an Olympic champion first, and now, I am a world champion. We (Indians) can do anything. Just keep working hard," Neeraj said.


Chopra added a javelin world title to his Olympic gold, recording a best throw of 88.17m on Sunday in Budapest.



The 25-year-old took silver last year but he stamped his mark on the final early on with his winning throw coming in the second round.


Pakistan's Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem took silver with a throw of 87.82m with the Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch taking the bronze in 86.67m.

The flamboyant Chopra -- one of three Indians to reach the final -- fell to the ground after his final throw and kissed the surface before charging towards the crowd.

Germany's Julian Weber finished fourth and held his hands to his face in disappointment, as his country finished the championships without a medal.


"This was great. After the Olympic gold I really wanted to win the world championships. I just wanted to throw further. This is brilliant for the national team but it was my dream to win gold at the world championships," Chopra said.

"This has been a great championships for India and I am proud to bring another title to my country. I don't think I am the best thrower here. I wanted to throw more tonight.

"I wanted to throw more than 90m tonight but it needs all parts of the puzzle to be there. I couldn't put it all together this evening. Maybe next time."