Mukesh Tandon

Tribune News Service

Khandra (Panipat), August 7

Celebrations started at Neeraj Chopra’s native village Khandra in the district soon after the athlete bagged the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.

His family members distributed laddoos as youth danced and waved the Tricolour. Neeraj also created history as he became the first Indian to bag a gold medal in a track and field event. Villagers, who started gathering at Neeraj’s house around noon, watched the javelin throw event live on a giant TV screen set up on a street.

Deputy Commissioner Sushil Kumar Sarwan also watched the event with Neeraj’s family members and congratulated them on his success. Later, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar congratulated Neeraj’s father Satish Chopra and other family members.

Notably, India was eyeing the gold medal since Neeraj topped the qualification round on August 4 with a throw of 86.65 m in his first attempt. “Choorma and peda (a sweet) is Neeraj’s favourite dish. He likes homemade food whenever he comes back from events,” said Neeraj’s mother Saroj Devi, adding that the family had full faith that he would win the gold medal. “Today is the best day for us as he won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. This is the best gift he could give to us this Raksha Bandhan,” said Neeraj’s sister Sarita and Sangeeta.

Best Rakhi gift

This is the best gift he could give to us this Raksha Bandhan. —Sarita and Sangeeta, Neeraj’s sisters

Born in a joint family of 17 members, Neeraj struggled with obesity in his younger days. The family enrolled him at a gym in Panipat, said Bhimsen Chopra, uncle of Neeraj. During his gym sessions, he also started visiting the nearby Shivaji stadium and came in contact with javelin thrower Jaiveer of Binjhol. It was on Jaiveer’s suggestion that Neeraj started participating in the javelin throw events, he added.

Surender, his uncle said, Neeraj had completed his studies up to Class IX from a school at Bhalsi village. After that he continued studies through the open school system. After winning the world championship in 2016, he was appointed as Naib Subedar in the Army and now he had been promoted to the post of Subedar Major, he added.