Jakarta: In what could be a proud moment for India, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Monday became the first-ever Indian to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.
20-year-old hurled the javelin to a distance of 88.06m to bag the Asiad gold.
“I dedicate my medal to Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji who was a great man,” Chopra said.
Neeraj had also become the first Indian to bag gold in the javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games earlier this year.
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Meanwhile, Saina Nehwal lost to Chinese Taipei player Tai Tzu Ying in the semifinals and bagged bronze at the ongoing Asian Games.
The 28-year-old shuttler was handed over a 17-21, 14-21 straight-games defeat by Tzu Ying in the semi-final clash which lasted 36 minutes. Nehwal, earlier, defeated Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand 21-18, 21-16 in the quarter-final to book a semi-final berth for herself.
India’s 36-year-long wait for a badminton singles medal at the Asian Games came to an end when ace shuttler PV Sindhu made history by qualifying for the finals defeating Akane Yamaguchi.