Winning the gold at the Olympics is the pinnacle of success for India. After a long waits of decades Neeraj Chopra bagged gold medal in javelin throw. Neeraj Chopra is the latest Indian to succeed at this level.
In all, India have 10 gold medals at the Olympics – winning eight times as a team. Only two individuals have won gold at the Summer Games in shooting and athletics.
Here’s when India won the top honours at the Olympics.
- Indian men’s hockey team – Amsterdam 1928 – won gold medal
- Indian men’s hockey team – Los Angeles 1932 – Gold medal
- Indian men’s hockey team – Berlin 1936 – Gold Medal
- Indian men’s hockey team – London 1948 – won Gold Medal
- Indian men’s hockey team – Helsinki 1952 – won gold medal
- Indian men’s hockey team – Melbourne 1956 – Won gold medal
- Indian men’s hockey team – Tokyo 1964 – Won Gold Medal
- Indian men’s hockey team – Moscow 1980
Abhinav Bindra in men’s 10m air rifle shooting – Beijing 2008
India made big strides in individual sports in the 21st century and won medals in weightlifting and shooting in 2000 and 2004 but neither were gold. However, Abhinav Bindra made history at Beijing 2008 by becoming the first Indian to win an individual gold medal. Bindra shot a near-perfect 10.8 in his final shot to be crowned the Olympic champion.
Neeraj Chopra in men’s javelin throw – Tokyo 2020
Neeraj Chopra scripted history by winning the first gold medal for an Indian in track-and-field events. He qualified for the final in the top spot and maintained his lead throughout the tournament. His attempt of 87.58m was enough to get him the javelin gold and take India’s haul at Tokyo 2020 to seven medals – their highest ever at a Games.