In a groundbreaking moment at the World Athletics Championships (WAC) 2023, Neeraj Chopra of India emerged as the first-ever Indian athlete to claim the title of world champion in the event's four-decade history. The 25-year-old javelin sensation not only secured a gold medal but also outperformed his previous records, turning his silver into gold in the men’s javelin competition held in Budapest on Sunday.

The event witnessed a remarkable India-Pakistan representation at the podium, as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem secured the silver medal, trailing closely behind Neeraj Chopra. Both athletes are set to receive substantial financial rewards for their exceptional performances on the global stage.

Neeraj Chopra's remarkable victory in the javelin event will earn him an impressive prize of approximately Rs 58 lakh ($70,000), while Arshad Nadeem, the Pakistani javelin thrower, will take home around Rs 29 lakh ($35,000) for his silver medal achievement.

Displaying an outstanding throw of 88.17 meters, Neeraj Chopra triumphed with a mere 0.35-meter lead over Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan. However, this slight distance proved decisive, as it secured Neeraj double the prize money compared to his Pakistani counterpart.

The competition also unveiled an unexpected camaraderie between Neeraj Chopra and his Pakistani rival, captured in viral social media moments. During the post-event press conference, Neeraj shared insights from his conversation with Arshad Nadeem, shedding light on their burgeoning rivalry and mutual respect.

Reflecting on their encounter, Neeraj Chopra stated, "Upon meeting Arshad after the event, we celebrated the progress our nations are making in the realm of sports. Our victory over our European counterparts, who are renowned for their strength and competitiveness, was a shared achievement. The spirited rivalry between our nations on the sporting field remains unwavering. I believe this victory will raise fan expectations as we approach the Asian Games. Our paths will cross again in Hangzhou."

Notably, Neeraj Chopra was not the sole Indian representative in the final competition. Kishore Jena (best throw of 84.77 meters) and DP Manu (best throw of 84.14 meters) secured the fifth and sixth positions respectively. Neeraj praised his compatriots for their composed performances in the face of intense competition, underscoring their remarkable feats against European contenders.

Delighted by the achievements of his fellow athletes, Neeraj Chopra remarked, "Kishore Jena's exceptional performance, marked by a personal best, brought me immense satisfaction. Their impressive display against the Europeans in the World Athletics Championship final was a significant accomplishment."

With his eyes set on the future, Neeraj Chopra is poised to lead India's medal pursuit in the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, scheduled from September 23 to October 8. His triumph at the WAC 2023 not only solidifies his place in history but also sets the stage for further accomplishments on the international sports platform.