<p>Celebrations broke out in Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's village in Panipat on Sunday after he won a landmark silver medal in the Athletics World Championships in Eugene, USA.</p>.<p>Son of a farmer from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana, the 24-year-old Chopra became only the second Indian and first male track and field athlete to win a medal at the showpiece.</p>.<p>Congratulatory messages poured in from various quarters including Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, his deputy Dushyant Chautala and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda.</p>.<p>The women of his village danced and sang while family members got busy receiving guests and distributing 'ladoos' (sweets).</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/neeraj-chopra-wins-silver-at-world-athletics-championships-1129519.html">Neeraj Chopra wins Silver at World Athletics Championships</a></strong></p>.<p>"Everyone is feeling very proud. This medal is of Olympic level. So, it is a very big achievement," Chopra's uncle Bhim Chopra, who has played a key role in shaping his career, told PTI over phone.</p>.<p>Bhim said the whole country is happy and proud of his achievement.</p>.<p>"He has been constantly working very hard and we are happy that he has brought laurels for his country," he said, adding villagers had gathered at their house since morning.</p>.<p>The javelin thrower's father Satish Chopra referred to long jumper Anju Bobby George being the first Indian to win a medal -- bronze -- in the World Championships nearly two decades ago.</p>.<p>"We had so far a bronze medal in World Championships and now Neeraj has won a sliver, we are proud," he said.</p>.<p>The athlete's mother Saroj was busy distributing sweets and receiving the guests.</p>.<p>"Entire country and the entire Haryana is proud of him," she told reporters, adding that there were some anxious moments after a subdued start.</p>.<p>Chopra, who had come into the showpiece as a hot medal favourite, produced a best throw of 88.13m, which came in the fourth round, to finish second behind defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada (90.54m).</p>.<p>It was a nervy start for Chopra as he opened with a foul before registering 82.39m and 86.37m to be placed fourth after three rounds.</p>.<p>But, to the relief of the Indian contingent, and the legions of his fans back home, he got his rhythm back as he came up with a big fourth round throw of 88.13m, his fourth career-best effort, to jump to second place, which he held on to till the end.</p>
<p>Celebrations broke out in Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's village in Panipat on Sunday after he won a landmark silver medal in the Athletics World Championships in Eugene, USA.</p>.<p>Son of a farmer from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana, the 24-year-old Chopra became only the second Indian and first male track and field athlete to win a medal at the showpiece.</p>.<p>Congratulatory messages poured in from various quarters including Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, his deputy Dushyant Chautala and former CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda.</p>.<p>The women of his village danced and sang while family members got busy receiving guests and distributing 'ladoos' (sweets).</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/neeraj-chopra-wins-silver-at-world-athletics-championships-1129519.html">Neeraj Chopra wins Silver at World Athletics Championships</a></strong></p>.<p>"Everyone is feeling very proud. This medal is of Olympic level. So, it is a very big achievement," Chopra's uncle Bhim Chopra, who has played a key role in shaping his career, told PTI over phone.</p>.<p>Bhim said the whole country is happy and proud of his achievement.</p>.<p>"He has been constantly working very hard and we are happy that he has brought laurels for his country," he said, adding villagers had gathered at their house since morning.</p>.<p>The javelin thrower's father Satish Chopra referred to long jumper Anju Bobby George being the first Indian to win a medal -- bronze -- in the World Championships nearly two decades ago.</p>.<p>"We had so far a bronze medal in World Championships and now Neeraj has won a sliver, we are proud," he said.</p>.<p>The athlete's mother Saroj was busy distributing sweets and receiving the guests.</p>.<p>"Entire country and the entire Haryana is proud of him," she told reporters, adding that there were some anxious moments after a subdued start.</p>.<p>Chopra, who had come into the showpiece as a hot medal favourite, produced a best throw of 88.13m, which came in the fourth round, to finish second behind defending champion Anderson Peters of Grenada (90.54m).</p>.<p>It was a nervy start for Chopra as he opened with a foul before registering 82.39m and 86.37m to be placed fourth after three rounds.</p>.<p>But, to the relief of the Indian contingent, and the legions of his fans back home, he got his rhythm back as he came up with a big fourth round throw of 88.13m, his fourth career-best effort, to jump to second place, which he held on to till the end.</p>