Zurich (Switzerland), Jan 25 (IANS) Indian Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra found himself in the company of tennis legend Roger Federer in Zurich, a moment he aptly described as a “dream come true”.

The two stars, both ambassadors of Switzerland Tourism, met in the picturesque backdrop of Zurich’s La Reserve Eden au Lac.

Neeraj, who clinched India’s second individual Olympic gold in the Tokyo Olympics, expressed his awe for Federer’s skill, sportsmanship, and ability to inspire millions worldwide.

“An absolute honour to meet a sporting icon, whose career has been and continues to be an inspiration to people. I had a great time talking to you, and hopefully we’ll meet again.@rogerfederer,” said Neeraj after the meeting.

The two sports icons exchanged notes about their passions, life experiences, and the shared responsibility of being Switzerland Tourism ambassadors.

For Federer, the admiration was reciprocal. The 20-time Grand Slam winner lauded Neeraj’s remarkable achievements, citing his grit and determination as catalysts for personal and national success.

“I am amazed by how much Neeraj has achieved personally and for his country through his grit and determination. It’s been great to meet him here in Zurich,” the 20-time Grand Slam winner was quoted as saying in a report.

In a gesture of sportsmanship, Federer presented Neeraj with an autographed tennis racquet, while Neeraj reciprocated with a signed India jersey from the Asian Games.

Reflecting on the encounter, Neeraj expressed gratitude for the valuable advice received from the Swiss legend, inscribing a message on the jersey, “It was very nice meeting you. Thank you for the advice; I will follow.”

Neeraj, eyeing a repeat of his Olympics success in the upcoming Paris 2024 Games, has continued to make history post-Tokyo. Clinching a silver and an unprecedented gold at the World Athletics Championships, and retaining his Asian Games gold at Hangzhou, he stands as a beacon of India’s sporting prowess.

Budapest, Aug 28 (IANS) India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra won a historic maiden gold medal for India in the World Athletics Championships on Sunday, claiming the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw competition here.

Chopra, who has been bothered by an injury in the last few months, killed the competition in the Hungarian capital with a massive throw of 88.17 in his second turn,

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem took the silver medal, the first World Championship medal for his country, with a distance of 87.82 while Czech Republic’s Yakub Vadlejch retained the bronze he won in Oregon last year, with a distance of 86.67. 

The two other Indians in the fray too did their best but could not finish on the podium — Kishore Kumar Jena, who had to overcome visa problems to reach Budapest, finished fifth with a personal best throw of 84.77 while D.P. Manu finished sixth with 84.14.

But India had the most hopes from Neeraj Chopra and the 25-year-old from Haryana did not disappoint as he came up with a superb throw on his second turn and secured his first World Championship gold.

Before Sunday, no Indian male or female had won a gold medal in the World Championship with Anju Bobby George claiming bronze in women’s long jump at Paris in 2003 while Neeraj Chopra won a silver in Oregon, US, last year.

Chopra, who usually aims to start with a big first throw and had done just that in the qualifying stage with a stunning 88.77 metre, opened with a foul on his first attempt on Sunday.

But his next throw straight away catapulted him to the top of the standings as the 25-year-old Tokyo Olympic gold medallist from Haryana hurled the spear to 88.17 to take the lead.

Germany’s Julian Weber was placed second with 85.79 on his second attempt while Yakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic was placed third with 84.18m throw in his second attempt.

Chopra could manage only 86.32 metre in his third attempt while Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem jumped into the fray with a superb throw of 87.82 metre on his third turn. 

Nadeem, who had surgery on his shoulder earlier this year following an injury, started with a gentle loosener of 74.90m and followed that up with 82.81m before unleashing a rip-roaring 87.82 in his third turn, a season-best for the Pakistan thrower. 

India’s D.P. Manu also came up with his best effort of the first half of the competition with 83.72m in his third attempt and was placed fifth while Kishore Kumar Jena came up with 82.82m in his second attempt to remain in seventh position.

Chopra could manage only an 84.62m throw in his fourth attempt while Nadeem came up with 87.15m while Julian Weber of Germany remained in the third position thanks to his 85.7 attempt.

Arshad Nadem made a final attempt in the sixth round with a big one but it was still short of what he wanted and Chopra sealed the gold medal.

It has been an indifferent year so far for Neeraj Chopra in 2023 as he has participated in only two competitions with the 88.67m at Doha Diamond League, his best for the season

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the current Olympic champion, said on Monday that he would skip the FBK Games next month out of caution due to a muscle problem.

“Recently, I strained a muscle while working out. The world No. 1 posted on Twitter, “Me and my team have chosen to avoid any risks which can aggravate the injury after a medical review.

“Unfortunately, that means I will have to cancel my participation in the Hengelo FBK Games. I’d want to wish the tournament’s organisers success.

The Fanny Blankers-Koen Games, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold level competition, will take place on June 4 in Hengelo, Netherlands.

The 25-year-old, who started the season off perfectly by winning the Doha Diamond League on May 5 with a throw of 88.67 metres, will probably return to competition on June 13 at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland.

“While injuries are inevitable on the road, they are never pleasant. I’m recovering, and by June, I hope to be back on the track,” Neeraj continued.

In the most recent men’s javelin throw rankings released by the World Athletics, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra rose to the top of the standings for the first time in his career.

Anderson Peters of Grenada, the current world champion, finished 22 points behind Chopra at 1433.

Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver at the Tokyo Olympics, finished third with 1416 points.

Chopra, 25, moved up to world number two on August 30 of last year but has remained behind Peters ever since.

Neeraj Chopra, the first Indian to win the renowned trophy, won the Diamond League 2022 finals in September of last year in Zurich.

With a throw of 88.67 metres, he took first place in the season-opening Doha Diamond League on May 5.

He will then compete on June 4 in the Netherlands in the FBK Games, and on June 13 in Turku, Finland, at the Paavo Nurmi Games.

See Neeraj Chopra making a winning Javelin throw in his first attempt as he wins gold medal for his country India. Neeraj clocked 88.67 metres in the championship league.