Oh my God, I was in same situation as Neeraj Chopra was at midway stage: Anju Bobby George

The 24-year-old Chopra was lying at fourth place after three rounds in the final of javelin throw event before making a remarkable comeback with a fourth throw of 88.13m to jump to second place, which he held on to till the end. Chopra thus became only the second Indian and first male track and field athlete to win a medal in the World Championships. The legendary Anju was the first Indian to win a medal -- bronze -- in the World Championships, back in the 2003 edition in Paris.

"I was thinking my God, the same situation I was in 2003 in Paris it was happening to Neeraj. I was having goosebumps. He was at fourth after three rounds and I was also fourth after three rounds," Anju told PTI.

"I was on top after first round but after the third I was fourth and out of medal position. But I was determined to come back and win a medal, which I did. I think the same thing happened to Neeraj also." It was a nervy start for Chopra as he opened with a foul throw before registering 82.39m and 86.37m to be placed fourth after three rounds.

But, to the relief of the Indian contingent, and the legions of his fans back home, he got his rhythm back as he came up with a big fourth round throw of 88.13m, his fourth career-best effort, to jump to second place. His fifth and sixth throws were fouls. In comparison, Anju began with a 6.61m to lie on top after the first round before having two foul jumps, which took her down to fourth place at the midway stage.

She had a 6.56m jump in the fourth round which still kept her at fourth. But her fifth round jump of 6.70m paved the way for what was a historic bronze medal. "You can't be a champion medal winner if you lose confidence easily.