New Delhi, Sep 01: Sports Minister Vikram Verma today joined the rest of the country in hailing the achievement of long jumper Anju B George saying her "brilliant" performance will pave the way for other Indian athletes to emulate her feat. The Kerala athlete became the first ever Indian to win a medal in a world championship when she clinched the bronze in Paris on Saturday. In a congratulatory message to Anju, Verma said, "The entire nation feels proud of your achievement". "We are hopeful this performance on your part will spur other Indian athletes to greater heights of excellence in the years to come," he said. Bureau Report