India, Aug. 13 -- In an instant, Ashish Yadav's face lit up. He was full of smiles as he talked about one specific message of congratulations he received on the evening of August 7.

Yadav was in Eugene, Oregon at the time as part of the Indian contingent competing at the U-20 World Athletics Championships. A few hours earlier, he had become only the second Indian to win a medal in the javelin throw event at the elite competition, when he won the silver medal.

Amidst the sea of messages he received, one stood out. The one from Neeraj Chopra.

"I got a message from sir saying 'God bless you,'" the 19-year-old recalled with a smile. "I took a screenshot and posted it. I was happier with the message than I was with the medal. If he had mess...