Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Naveen Patnaik congratulated Neeraj Chopra on Saturday for throwing a spear in an international competition in Doha for a distance of more than 90 meters.
Chopra on Friday covered a distance of 90.23 meters in the men’s javelin throw event at the Doha phase of the prestigious Diamond League competition, but the Julian Weber of Germany defeated them and had to be satisfied with the second place.
Majhi described Chopra’s achievement as a historical moment and a proud achievement for Indian athletics.
He said, “Congratulations on India’s ‘Golden Boy’ and Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra on crossing the prestigious 90 meters by throwing 90.23 meters in the Doha Diamond League. Odisha is involved in celebrating this incredible achievement with the whole country.”
Two -time Olympic medalist Neeraj (27) threw 90.23 meters in his third attempt.
Chopra has become the third Asian to achieve this feat and the 25th player in total.
Patnaik said, “Congratulations to India’s spear throw star Neeraj Chopra for creating history. He became the first Indian to cross a distance of 90 meters in the spear throw and the Doha finished second in the ‘Diamond League’. He kept moving forward in his sports career and proud of India.”
Sports Minister Suryavanshi Suraj in the Odisha government also congratulated Chopra and said that Neeraj Chopra’s success is inspired by “hard work, discipline and unmatched passion” and the whole game is proud of him.