Neeraj Chopra's gold winning feat named one of 10 magical moments of track and field in Olympics
New Delhi: Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's historic gold-winning feat in the Olympics was listed as one of the 10 magical moments of track and field in the Tokyo Games by World Athletics.
The 23-year-Chopra clinched the country's maiden Olympic medal in athletics with a best throw of 87.58m on Saturday to become only the second Indian to win an individual yellow metal in the Games.
"Most keen followers of the sport had heard of Neeraj Chopra before the Olympic Games. But after winning the javelin in Tokyo, and in the process becoming India's first athletics gold medallist in Olympic history, Chopra's profile sky-rocketed," the global governing body said on its website.
WA noted that the 23-year-old Chopra had 143,000 followers before the Olympics, but now has a staggering 3.2million (on Instagram), making him the most followed track and field athlete in the world.
In a tweet posted after winning the gold in Tokyo, Chopra has said, "Still processing this feeling. To all of India and beyond, thank you so much for your support and blessings that have helped me reach this stage. This moment will live with me forever.
Gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci was one of those former international stars who congratulated Chopra on Twitter.
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Actor Saif Ali Khan 'out of danger' now, doctors remove 2.5-inch knife piece from spine
Mumbai, Jan 16: Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra early Thursday in a shocking attack that raises intriguing questions about security, motive, and celebrity life.
Khan, 54, was "out of danger" following an emergency surgery, said the doctors at the Lilavati Hospital where he was rushed following the incident that took place around 2.30 am at his apartment in `Satguru Sharan' building.
A 2.5-inch piece of knife was removed from his spine, the doctors said, adding he was on "100 percent recovery path".
Police registered a case of `armed robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt'. The attacker fled using the building's staircase, a senior police official said, adding that his CCTV visuals was traced on the sixth floor, and 10 teams have been formed to nab him.
Khan's domestic help, who raised alarm first, also sustained a minor injury to her hand during the scuffle. She later lodged a police complaint.
Opposition leaders in Maharashtra said even celebrities were not safe in India's financial capital, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the home portfolio, has failed to maintain law and order. Fadnavis, however, said the attack was a serious incident, but it would be wrong to call Mumbai unsafe because of it, and the police were taking action in the matter.
As per the preliminary probe, the intruder did not force his entry or break into the actor's flat, but possibly sneaked in at some point during the night.
Khan's domestic staff took him to Lilavati Hospital in an auto rickshaw after the incident. He was operated upon by a team of doctors led by neurosurgeon Dr Nitin Dange, cosmetic surgeon Dr Leena Jain and anaesthesiologist Dr Nisha Gandhi.
"He sustained six injuries, two are minor, two intermediate and two deep injuries, one of the injuries is on the back which is close to spine," the hospital's chief operating officer Dr Niraj Uttamani told PTI.
"Saif sustained a major injury to his thoracic spine due to a knife.....Surgery was performed to remove the knife and also to repair the leaking spinal fluid," said Dr Dange.
"There were two other deep wounds in his left hand and right side of the neck which were repaired by the plastic surgery team.
Khan is completely stable now. He is in recovery mode and is completely out of danger," Dr Dange added.
According to Dr Uttamani, the actor was "on 100 per cent recovery path as per our initial understanding." "He has been shifted to the ICU. Maybe in a day or two he will be shifted to the (non-ICU) ward," he added.
The actor's representatives described the incident as an "attempted burglary".
A First Information Report was registered at Bandra police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 311 (robbery with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 331 (4) (house break-in or trespass at night) and other relevant provisions.
Saif's wife and actor Kareena Kapoor Khan, and some other members of the family were present in the house when the incident took place.
The son of actor Sharmila Tagore and late cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Saif Ali Khan is known for his performances in films like "Omkara", "Dil Chahta Hai", "Kal Ho Naa Ho" and "Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior". He is also a recipient of the Padma Shri award.
Talking to reporters, Chief Minister Fadnavis asserted that Mumbai is a safe city. "I think Mumbai is the safest among mega cities in the country. It is true that some incidents take place sometimes, and they must be taken seriously. But to say that Mumbai is unsafe due to such incidents is not right," he said.
"....But, to make the city safer, the government will certainly make efforts," he added.
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar said the incident shows that the law and order situation was deteriorating in Maharashtra.
"Recently, a person was killed in the same area and now this incident. All these things are worrisome," Pawar told reporters at Baramati. "The state government, especially the chief minister who holds charge of the home department, should pay attention to these things more seriously," the former Maharashtra chief minister said.
In October last year, former state minister Baba Siddique was shot dead by three persons in Bandra area.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said, "No one is safe. Let alone ordinary people, even celebrities who have their own security are not safe."
Fadnavis had completely failed to maintain law and order, said Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe.
Prominent politicians including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal and Chiranjeevi, expressed shock over the attack on Saif Ali Khan.
"It’s very concerning to hear about the attack on noted actor Saif Ali Khan. I pray for his speedy recovery, trusting that the law will take its course and those responsible will be held accountable. My thoughts and prayers are with Sharmila Di, Kareena Kapoor, and the entire family during this difficult time," Banerjee posted on X.
Kejriwal said, "Shocked to hear about the attack on Saif Ali Khan. Wishing him a speedy recovery and strength to his family during this difficult time."
