India's Olympic champions return from Tokyo, get grand reception in Delhi

Gold medalist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was welcomed by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and others

Neeraj Chopra, gold medalist javelin thrower at recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, arrived at Delhi airport on Monday from Japan. He was welcomed by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya and others.

Upon arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Neeraj was swamped by supporters and they played dhols to give a thunderous response to the 23-year-old's historic feat back in Tokyo.

Neeraj somehow made his way from the crowd and he quickly entered his car to make his way out of the airport.

Other Indian athletes who had stayed back in Tokyo for the closing ceremony of the showpiece event also returned back home on Monday.

Fans and families arrived at the airport to welcome the athletes. Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Saturday had won a gold medal and this was the first medal won by an Indian athlete in track and field in the Games.

"Athletics team is back from #Tokyo2020. Let's welcome them by sharing our #Cheer4India messages and encourage them for their future competitions," tweeted SAI Media.

Supporters of Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya also gathered around at the Delhi Airport as the grapplers came back home after winning a bronze and silver medal respectively at the Tokyo Games.

"It feels great to receive such kind of love and respect," said Punia.

This year the Games were held with COVID-19 induced restrictions and all events were held behind closed doors.

About 11,000 athletes from over 200 countries competed in Tokyo Olympics. India recorded its best-ever haul at the Olympics with seven medals (one gold, two silver, and four bronze).

Neeraj (gold), Bajrang (bronze), Mirabai Chanu (silver), PV Sindhu (bronze), Lovlina Borgohain (bronze), men's hockey team ( bronze), and Ravi Kumar Dahiya (silver) won medals in the Tokyo Games.