Neeraj Chopra produced a stunning throw of 89.94 metres in the javelin final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to retain his gold medal and become the first Indian to successfully defend a world title in a field event. Chopra, competing in front of a capacity crowd at the Japan National Stadium, produced his best throw in the third attempt, comfortably ahead of Czech competitor Jakub Vadlejch who took silver with 87.32m. The throw is also Chopra personal best at a World Championships.
Chopra, accepting the gold medal, said this title means more than the first because everyone was trying to dethrone him. Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla called the achievement the pinnacle of Indian track and field history. The Prime Minister offered his congratulations, calling Chopra a champion who has made every Indian proud. The win puts Chopra alongside Milkha Singh, P.T. Usha, and Anju Bobby George as the greatest Indian track and field athletes of all time.