New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated young javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra for smashing the junior world record en route to a gold medal at the IAAF World Under-20 Athletics Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The 18-year-old Haryana lad Chopra threw the spear to a stupendous distance of 86.48m on the penultimate day of competitions last night to set a new junior world record and become the first ever Indian to hold a world record in athletics (junior or senior).

“Congratulations Neeraj Chopra for the outstanding sporting accomplishment. We are proud of you,” Prime Minister Modi wrote on his personal twitter handle.

Chopra also broke the existing national senior record of 82.23m. His achievement was all the more stunning as his effort was better than the gold medal winner in London Olympics (84.58m).

Congratulating Chopra on his remarkable feat, Sports Minister Vijay Goel announced a cash award of Rs 10 lakh.

Goel also tweeted “Congratulations Neeraj Chopra to become first Indian world champion in athletics. Kudos!! You have made India proud.”

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Rajyavardhan Rathore also patted the young athlete on his back for his achievement.

“Great going!! It indeed feels proud to see your name & INDIA against the world record. Well done.”

Haryana Chief Minister tweeted, “Hearty congratulations to Haryana’s Neeraj Chopra for winning India’s first U-20 gold medal & setting a new javelin throw world record!” PTI