India athelete Neeraj Chopra on Sturday created history by securing a gold medal in the men's javelin throw finals at the Tokyo Olympics. The athlete threw 87.58m in his second attempt in the event to achieve this historic feat, which saw him become the first track and field from India to finish on the podium.   


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Earlier on Wednesday morning, Neeraj threw a monstrous 86.65m in the qualification round of men's javelin throw to enter the finals at the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Interestingly, Pakistan javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem also qualified for the finals after an attempt of 85.16m in the qualifying round from his respective group.  



Soon after the event, an old picture of Neeraj and Arshad from Asian Games 2018 held in Jakarta surfaced on the internet. The picture shows both Neeraj and Arshad shaking hands while standing at the podium after Neeraj won a gold medal at the event, while Arshad finished third at the event. Sharing the photo many even hinted at the renewed India-Pakistan rivarly at the Olympic Games.  


Neeraj had then created history by becoming the first Indian win a gold medal in javelin at the Asian Games. His attempt, which measured 88.06m, had then helped him create a new national record in men's javelin throw, which the 23-year-old rewrote earlier this year at Indian Grand Prix 3 held in Patiala. 


Fact check | Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem's viral tweet calling Neeraj Chopra his 'idol' is FAKE 


Before Neeraj's historic landmark, India last stood on the podium in a javelin event back in the 1982, when the Games were held in New Delhi as Gurtej Singh secured a bronze for the nation.  


The Haryana athlete bettered his record by 0.01m and now the national record in men's javelin stands at 88.07m.     



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In the qualification round on Wednesday, Neeraj finished at the top with a 86.65m throw, and was followed by Germany's Johannes Vetter (85.64m), and Arshad (85.16m) in the second and third position.