August 7 to be named 'Javelin Throw Day' in honour of gold medallist Neeraj Chopra

After Haryana-based Neeraj Chopra created history by winning the gold medal in the javelin throw at Tokyo Olympics 2020, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has decided to name August 7 as the 'Javelin Throw Day'. India had won no medal in athletics for over 100 years. Neeraj Chopra created history by winning the first-ever gold medal in athletics. Also Read | Tokyo Olympics 2020: List of medal winners, historic golden throw by Neeraj Chopra, India’s record-breaking journey Thus, the Athletics Federation of India decided that August 7, Javelin Throw Day, will be itched in the memories of Indian sports fans forever as, on this day, Neeraj Chopra's javelin earned India their first Olympic gold in athletics. Also Read | Tokyo Olympics 2020: Meet unsung heroes behind the success of India's medal winners The Chairman of AFI's Planning Committee, Lalit Bhanot, said that they will stage javelin throwing competitions every year on August 7. Neeraj Chopra's javelin flew into the bright lights of the stadium at Tokyo to land after covering a distance of 87.58 metres to give him the winning lead. None of the other athletes was able to reach the target of 87 metre-mark. Prior to Chopra, only Abhinav Bindra had won individual Olympic gold. He had won the gold medal in a 10-metre air rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Games. Chopra had won the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold in 2018. However, an injury to his throwing arm and the Covid-19 pandemic kept him sidelined for over two years. Still, the young man stood wise and made the whole nation proud. --PTC News