The first Indian Gold Medalist in Olympics in Individual event Shooting, Abhinav Bindra congratulated and welcomed Javelian Neeraj Chopra who has joined him in an “Exclusive Club of Golds” of Indian Olympians.

13 years after shooter Bindra became the country’s first-ever individual gold medallist at the Beijing Games in 2008, Neeraj has emulated his countryman by winning the gold in Tokyo in the javelin throw. Neeraj becomes India’s first-ever gold medallist in athletics.

His throw of 87.58 in the second attempt was enough for the 23-year-old to seal the top spot and create history.

Abhinav Bindra wrote on his Twitter handle

“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”.

He also posted a letter to Neeraj, thanking him for helping India finish their campaign in Tokyo on a high. His medal was the 7th overall for India (1 Gold, 2 Silver and 3 Bronze) and is their highest ever tally at an Olympic, surpassing the six medals they won in London Games.

Neeraj made his international debut in 2016, when he won the World U20 Championship in Bydgoszcz, Poland, with a world junior record throw of 86.48 metres. He won gold in the 2016 South Asian Games with a throw of 82.23 metres. The fact that he equalled the then-Indian national record added to the significance of this performance.

In 2017 at the Asian Athletic Championships, Neeraj clinched another gold with a throw of 85.23. Only a few months later, in August, Neeraj broke his own record with a throw of 88.06 metres at the Asian Games 2018, where he won gold.