London: Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra has been one of the six nominees for the 2022 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, making him the first Indian to be featured in the short-list for this category. And also the third Indian athlete to be nominated for a Laureus Award, after wrestler Vinesh Phogat in 2019 and cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who won the Laureus Sporting Moment Award 2000-2020.
Chopra, 23, became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal, and the first in track and field, when he threw 87.58 meters in his second try in Tokyo last year. His performance elevated him to celebrity status in India, as well as globally.
“I’m delighted to be nominated for this Laureus Award and it’s a great honour for me to be recognised in the wider sporting world for what I achieved in Tokyo. From being a kid in a small village in rural India who only took up sport to get fit, to standing on top of an Olympic podium, it’s been quite an eventful journey so far,” the javelin thrower said in a statement.
“I feel privileged to be able to represent my country and win India medals at the global stage, and now to have this recognition from Laureus and be considered alongside such exceptional athletes is a really special feeling,” he added.
A special feeling to be nominated along with some exceptional athletes for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award.
Congratulations to @DaniilMedwed, @pedri, @EmmaRaducanu, @TeamRojas45 and Ariarne Titmus on their nominations. #Laureus22 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/16pUMmvQBE
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) February 2, 2022
Chopra was clubbed alongside tennis stars Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu among others.
The nominees in each of the seven categories for this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards were chosen by a panel of more than 1,300 of the world’s top sportswriters and broadcasters. Following a vote by the Laureus World Sports Academy, the world’s ultimate sports jury, made up of 71 of the greatest sporting legends of all time, the winners will be announced in April.
