Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem, the javelin superstars from India and Pakistan respectively, are on a shared mission to inspire young athletes in their countries. Their bond transcends the competition, as they maintain a strong friendship off the field while engaging in a healthy rivalry during events. This camaraderie was evident at the Paris Olympics, where Nadeem clinched the men’s javelin gold with an impressive throw of 92.97m, setting a new Olympic record. Chopra, the defending champion, secured the silver medal with his season’s best performance of 89.45m.
Chopra believes their success will contribute to a surge in athletics in both countries. He pointed to the emergence of talented javelin throwers in India and Pakistan, citing the performance of Yasir Sultan, Nadeem’s replacement at the Asian Games, as an example. Chopra’s own victory at the previous year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, where he secured a gold medal, further emphasizes the growing popularity of the sport in the region.
When asked about the potential shift of the India-Pakistan rivalry from cricket to javelin, Chopra acknowledged the need for more competitions to fuel this shift. He pointed out that currently, the Olympics and World Championships are the only major events, emphasizing the need for more opportunities like the Diamond League to engage a wider audience.
Nadeem, the 27-year-old Pakistani champion, also highlighted the significance of Pakistan and India winning gold and silver at the Paris Olympics. He expressed his joy, emphasizing that their accomplishment stood out amidst hundreds of participating countries. He also acknowledged Chopra’s World Championship win in Budapest and described their shared success as a golden moment.
Both athletes expressed their desire for their friendship to continue and for the competition between them to intensify. Chopra congratulated Nadeem for his Olympic record and expressed his hope for their rivalry to remain strong.
Chopra also addressed his ongoing pursuit of breaching the elusive 90m mark, a goal he has been striving for since the 2018 Asian Games. He acknowledges the technical and physical challenges he faces but remains determined to achieve his objective through hard work and dedication. He remains committed to promoting javelin in both India and Pakistan, encouraging young athletes to embrace the sport.
