The Super Kings gave Neeraj a special jersey with the number 8758 on it, representing the 87.58m throw that won him the gold medal.
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On Sunday, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) honoured India’s celebrated Olympic champion, Neeraj Chopra. CSK, as previously announced, rewarded the Olympic gold medalist with Rs 1 crore. The four-time IPL champions also gave Neeraj a special jersey with the number 8758 on it, representing the 87.58m throw that earned him the men’s javelin gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. On Sunday, Neeraj Chopra received the special jersey from CEO Kasi Viswanathan in New Delhi. CSK shared a photo of Neeraj posing with the jersey on social media.
After winning the historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Neeraj has become the poster boy for Indian sports. The 23-year-old had become the first-ever individual gold medalist in track and field, and only the second person since Abhinav Bindra in 2008 to win an Olympic individual gold medal.
Neeraj said after receiving the cash reward and the special jersey that he never imagined he would receive all the love he has over the last two months. Neeraj has become the toast of the nation, from acing ad films to being honoured by several members of the Indian sporting fraternity.
“Thank you so much for your support and for the prize. It feels good. The last two months have been hectic and an opportunity to experience new things. I never thought that I’ll get so much love after winning gold. It was completely unexpected and it feels good. Hopefully, I’ll work hard and get good results,” Neeraj said.
CSK CEO Viswanathan said it’s an honor for the team to present the special jersey to Neeraj.
“The entire nation is proud of Neeraj for his stupendous achievement. By becoming the first Indian to win a medal (gold) in the track and field, he has set a benchmark and is an inspiration for the next generation. 87.58 is a number that will forever be etched in Indian sporting history and it’s an honour for us to present this special jersey to Neeraj. We wish he brings more glory to the nation,” Viswanathan said.
Neeraj scripted history after leading the nation on to a historic gold medal in Javelin. The 23-year-old delivered a fantastic performance in the final of the men’s javelin throw event of the Tokyo Olympics, earning the nation a maiden medal in the sport as well as the track and field category. He further became the second Indian to win an individual gold medal in the history of the Olympics. Shooter Abhinav Bindra was the first athlete, following his heroics in the 2008 Bejing Olympics. Neeraj’s heroics have helped India record their best ever performance in the history of the prestigious tournament.
The 23-year-old was awarded the gold medal after recording a sensational throw of 87.58m. Jakub Vadlejch from Czech Republic won the silver, following a throw of 86.67m. Vitezslav Vesely, an athlete from the same nation as of Jakub, was awarded the bronze after recording a throw of 85.44m.
