Neeraj Chopra's soaring javelin did not just earn India their first Olympic gold in athletics on Saturday, it also meant that the contingent will return from Tokyo with seven medals, their biggest Games haul ever.
Gurjar came up with his season's best effort of 61.22m to claim the top spot.
Neeraj Chopra launches outreach programme, interacts with students from 75 schools
Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra says he needs to recharge and come back stronger for a packed 2022 calendar, which includes the World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
The Tokyo Paralympics slated to begin on August 24, will be Jhajharia's third Paralympics.
While the first chopper was controlled by Wing Commander Baldev Singh Bisht, the second was commanded by Wing Commander Nikhil Mehrotra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded India's athletes for their spectacular showing at the Tokyo Olympics, saying their tremendous show has inspired the youth of the country.
Murli Sreeshankar qualified for the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday after bettering his own National record with a leap of 8.26 metres on the second day of the Federation Cup Senior National Athletics Championships, in Patiala.
Iconic boxer MC Mary Kom and ace archer Deepika Kumari were told they need not say sorry after returning without medals while hockey player P R Sreejesh was asked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi if he has learnt Punjabi when he hosted the Tokyo-returned Olympians at his residence.
Neeraj was all set to defend his title in Birmingham, but pulled out of the multi-sport event after his medical team advised a month's rest after MRI scan showed a minor injury.
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was named the Indian contingent's flag-bearer for the Asian Games opening ceremony to be held on August 18 in Jakarta.
A pre-tournament medal contender, the 23-year-old Neeraj Chopra fuelled the country's expectations by topping the qualification round with a stunning first round throw of 86.59 metres.
Olonga wasn't a cricketing great, not even Zimbabwe's best during the golden era of the country's cricket, but the beaded hair, a slinging action and a mean bouncer to get Sachin Tendulkar out on a lifeless Sharjah track made him a household name in India.
Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is considering participating in the World Championships later this year after it emerged that he has qualified for the showpiece event.
Slipping out of the usual top-five was seen as a real possibility in absence of shooting but phenomenal success in athletics and lawn bowls propelled India to a commendable fourth place finish at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
Shivpal returned home from South Africa just a few days before the suspension of international flights. He is currently at NIS Patiala, where he is training indoors because of the nationwide lockdown.
Buoyed by a strong start to the season, Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is primed to clinch his maiden Diamond League podium finish in his first appearance in four years in the prestigious one-day meet in Stockholm on Thursday.
The money is for Milosz Malysa, an infant with a heart defect whose family has been raising funds for operation in the United States. Milosz's parents posted last week that the boy was at risk of dying soon without the surgery.
World Athletics Championships to be held in Doha from September 27.
When asked about Indian football, Bhutia said: "There should be long term planning. Lately, we have not been able to do well, it will take time."
'...because when the flag goes higher, and the National Anthem is played, that's the best feeling you have.'
Deepa Malik, the first Indian woman to claim a medal in the Paralympic Games, has retired from active sports, a decision she took before becoming the Paralympic Committee of India president earlier this year but revealed only on Monday. The 49-year-old, who won a silver in shot put F53 category in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, was elected PCI president in the elections held in February under the directives of Delhi High Court. PCI has been denied recognition by the sports ministry.
Neeraj has emerged as a truly a world class athlete and a bright prospect for Indian athletic's elusive medal in athletics.
The frustration for aspirant Olympians has been palpable and athletes like table tennis player Sathiyan Gnanasekaran have been forced to innovate to stay sharp during the lengthy lockdowns.
India's high jumper Tejaswin Shankar on Thursday said he has not been able to perform to his full potential owing to chronic tendonitis and it's now a "certainty" that he will compete in decathlon at next year's Asian Games.
Olympic sensation Neeraj Chopra's success on the final day of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has turned the track and field star into a household name across the country.
India's top-five finish not a given this time
'Instead of making this a four-year phenomenon, when you look at us and get thrilled, do it more regularly.'
India was aiming for an Olympic qualification as the eight finalists get an automatic berth for next year's Tokyo Games.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said a team has been formed to draw up a post-lockdown Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be followed by athletes, coaches and other staff during outdoor training that will resume in a "planned manner". He assured the athletes that their training will resume soon but given the risks the coronavirus pandemic poses, the process will involve consultations with home and health ministries.
Neeraj Chopra, on Sunday, won a gold in the Savo Games in Finland with an impressive performance, beating his Chinese Taipei rival Chao-Tsun Cheng as the duo warmed up for an Asian Games showdown.
His much-awaited Olympic debut has been delayed by a year but star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is unfazed as he feels humanity needs to focus on the coronavirus pandemic more than anything else right now.
A summary of Saturday's Track and Field action at the Tokyo Olympics.
Annu became the first Indian woman javelin thrower to qualify for the final round
Track and field success at the Olympics has largely eluded India
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia has revealed that a "deal" with his six-year-old daughter propelled him to win a record second gold medal in the Paralympics.
The list of Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's admirers has grown with reigning World champion Johannes Vetter predicting a bright future for the Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Gold medal-winning javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was the undisputed star as the Indian track and field team returned from the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games to a warm reception in New Delhi.
Javelin thrower Annu Rani and four-time Commonwealth Games medallist discus thrower Seema Antil Punia also have been recommended for the Arjuna Award.
"Winning a medal at Tokyo 2020 is the target," the 23-year-old Sandeep said.
