’21 toppo ki salami’ – Fans react as Neeraj Chopra becomes World No. 1 in Men’s Javelin Throw

Neeraj Chopra, who won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, climbed to the top of the most recent World Athletics rankings for men’s javelin throw on Monday. Chopra was in first place with 1455 points, 22 more than Anderson Peters of Ghana. Since August 30, 2022, Chopra has held the No. 2 spot; however, this week, Chopra passed Peters, the current world champion.

Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic is third with 1410 points, followed by Germany’s Julian Webber in fourth with 1385 points and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem in fifth with 1306 points. Chopra will gain an advantage from the top spot as he prepares for her next competition in the FBK Games 2023 on June 4 in the Netherlands. On June 13, he further declared his intention to compete in the Paavo Nurmi Games 2023 in Turku, Finland.

Two more Indians in the Top 20 of Men’s Javelin Throw

Since September, last year, when Chopra won the Diamond League 2022 finals in Zurich and became the first Indian athlete to take home the coveted Diamond League trophy, the 25-year-old from Haryana has moved to the top of the standings, thanks to his outstanding performances. But after the victory in Zurich, he was unable to perform due to an injury.

Chopra, who currently owns the men’s javelin throw national record for India, competed again at the season-opening Doha Diamond League on May 5 of this year and took first place with a throw of 88.67 metres. At the Doha tournament, Anderson Peters managed 85.88m to get third. Chopra’s ascent to the top is evidence of his excellent condition heading into the 2016 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Other Indian javelin throwers in the top 20 are World No. 15 Rohit Yadav and World No. 17 DP Manu. Avinash Sable of India is among the top 20 in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, coming in at number 14 with 1286 points in the standings headed by Soufiane EL Bakkali of Morocco.

Here’s how everyone reacted after Neraj Chopra became the first Indian to achieve this feet:

#India's Tokyo Olympics gold medalist #NeerajChopra once again scripted history as he became the Number 1 Javelin thrower as per new rankings released by World Athletics. pic.twitter.com/yHCex8Adnu

— Yazhini (@Yazhini_11) May 23, 2023

https://twitter.com/HibiEden/status/1660922812297625600

#India is now number 1#NeerajChopra has brought a gold medal in javelin through. pic.twitter.com/bjDsGSDMic

— Mukti Bodh TTS (@UnmuktSharma) May 22, 2023

https://twitter.com/Neerajkundan/status/1660895913970130945

Heartiest Congratulations to #NeerajChopra on becoming World #1 in the Men's Javelin Throw ranking.

Wishing you the best for all your future endeavours.#NeerajChopra #Javelinthrow #Sports pic.twitter.com/fNzWU9cvoK

— Soji Jacob (@sojijacob_Inc) May 23, 2023

https://twitter.com/AmitKum72054476/status/1660924591949185025

https://twitter.com/Vinayvichaar/status/1660908134528094208

https://twitter.com/AzizPatel911/status/1660924578531799041

Heartful congratulations,
Proud of you Neeraj sir , true inspiration for youth

Athletics rankings: Neeraj Chopra rises to world No. 1 in men's javelin throw #NeerajChopra #goldenboy pic.twitter.com/29pcFHz2oY

— Shining Eyes (@Shining58817927) May 23, 2023

ओलंपिक स्वर्ण पदक विजेता @Neeraj_chopra1 को पुरुषों के जेवलिन थ्रो में विश्व नंबर 1 एथलीट बनने पर हार्दिक बधाई एवं शुभकामनाएँ।

विश्व में इस ऐतिहासिक उपलब्धि को हासिल करने वाले पहले भारतीय एथलीट नीरज चोपड़ा को उनके उज्ज्वल भविष्य की शुभकामनाएँ।#NeerajChopra pic.twitter.com/h3hMPLWFbg

— Renu Kadyan (@iamrenukadyan) May 23, 2023