Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Feb 2: Neeraj Chopra, India’s Olympic gold medalist in the javelin, was nominated for the Laureus ‘World Breakthrough of the Year’ award on Wednesday, making him the first Indian to be included in the short-list for this category.
👏 Six incredible athletes who burst onto the scene in 2021, here are Nominees for the 2022 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award:
🇮🇳 @Neeraj_chopra1
🎾 @DaniilMedwed
⚽️ @Pedri
🎾 @EmmaRaducanu
🇻🇪 @TeamRojas45
🏊♀️ #AriarneTitmus#Laureus22 pic.twitter.com/kfmU1qnAZg— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 2, 2022
Tennis stars Daniil Medvedev and Emma Raducanu were among those who were nominated. Interestingly, Neeraj Chopra became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal, and the first in track and field, when he threw 87.58 metres in his second attempt in Tokyo last year. His performance elevated him to celebrity status in India, as well as international praise.
Neeraj Chopra has been nominated in the category – 2022 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award. His competitors are Daniil Medvedev (Tennis, Russia), Pedri (Spain, Football), Emma Racucanu (Tennis, UK), Yulimar Rojas (Athletics, Venezuela), Ariarne Titmus (Swimming, Australia).
“…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,” said Chopra in a statement issued by The Laureus Academy.
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
After cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and wrestler Vinesh Phogat, he is the third Indian to receive a Laureus nomination.
In 2019, Phogat was nominated for the Laureus World Sporting Comeback Award, while Tendulkar was awarded the Laureus Best Sporting Moment in the Last 20 Years Award in 2020.
This year’s awards will be presented to the athletes and teams who excelled in 2021. The awards are frequently referred to as the “Oscars of Sports.”
