World Athletics Championships: Can Neeraj Chopra win historic gold medal for India?

On Sunday, Neeraj Chopra has a golden opportunity to further solidify his legacy.

Over the past 18 editions of the World Athletics Championships, no Indian athlete has stood atop the winner's podium.

The exceptional achievement of Anju Bobby George's bronze in the women's long jump in 2005 in Paris and Neeraj's silver from last year in Eugene represent the only two medals India has secured at the global competition so far.

The Olympic Gold medallist and Diamond Trophy winner came in second place at last year's World Athletics Championships final, and now he aims to secure the top spot before an enthusiastic crowd on the event's concluding day at the National Athletics Center in Budapest.

India has seen exceptional Olympians, yet it took almost a century for the nation to produce its inaugural first Olympic Gold medallist.

Abhinav Bindra, a legend in his own right, achieved this feat with a landmark victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Thirteen years later, Neeraj Chopra joined this elite club by delivering a mind- blowing performance at the Tokyo Olympics, clinching the Gold in the men's-javelin event.

Neeraj Chopra has made a strong mark stood out in the track and field domain, establishing his own unique style. The term "one-and-done" has become synonymous with him.

His approach to international competitions often carries a sense of predictability; it's almost expected that he will return home with a medal.

While India has witnessed outstanding achievements in athletics before, no one has demonstrated the ease with which Neeraj Chopra consistently secures podium finishes, earning him the title of javelin superstar.

His journey in the qualification round set a strong precedent, as he unleashed a season-best throw of 88.77 meters.

Emerging at the top among 37 athletes in the qualification, with Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, a Commonwealth Games Gold medallist, being the sole contender to come near Neeraj's exceptional performance.