The inspiring victory of Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra at the Tokyo Olympics has had a profound impact on the sport of athletics in India, particularly for para-athletes. Indian para-javelin throwers Bhavanaben Chaudhary and Navdeep Singh are testament to this surge in interest.
Bhavanaben, who competes in the F46 category, attributes the increased attention to her sport to Chopra’s achievements. She expressed her determination to win a medal for India at the upcoming Paris Paralympics, stating, “Preparation has been nice and I would try my best to win a medal for the country. I participated in the Para-Asian Games, performed well, finished fourth, and learned a lot. I threw well in the trials as well.”
Echoing this sentiment, Navdeep, who participates in the F41 category and competed in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, declared that Neeraj Chopra was the reason he took up javelin throw. “This is my second Paralympics, and we are all excited to perform well. I started playing Javelin in 2016 after watching Neeraj Chopra perform well. The Indian team is performing very well at the Paralympics, and it is motivating us a lot.”
The impact of Chopra’s gold medal is evident in the enthusiasm and dedication of para-athletes like Bhavanaben and Navdeep. Their stories highlight how a single inspiring moment can ignite a passion for sport and inspire a generation of athletes to pursue their dreams on the global stage. As India prepares for the Paris Paralympics, the legacy of Neeraj Chopra continues to shape the future of athletics in the country, propelling athletes towards excellence and igniting a new wave of talent.
