India’s javelin throwing sensation, Neeraj Chopra, has taken a mature and humble stance regarding his silver medal win at the Paris Olympics. While expressing disappointment at missing the gold, Chopra insists that there were no shortcomings in his performance. He attributes his silver to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97m, securing the first-ever individual gold medal for his country in the event.
Chopra, who became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win two consecutive Olympic medals, emphasized the fierce competition and the exceptional performance of Nadeem. In an interview with PTI, he stated, “Nothing was wrong, everything was right. The throw was also good. Getting a silver (medal) in the Olympics is also not a small thing. There was disappointment. But, I feel that the competition was good, and it was tough.” He further acknowledged Nadeem’s dominance, saying, “The gold medal is won by the person to whom the day belongs. That day was (Arshad) Nadeem’s day.”
Chopra dismissed any notion of rivalry between India and Pakistan in the javelin throw, highlighting the global nature of the sport. “In javelin, there are no two teams (playing against each other), but there are 12 athletes from different countries, who are competing with each other. I have been competing with Nadeem since 2016, and it is the first time he won,” he explained. Chopra, who hails from Khandra village in Haryana, also spoke highly of Nadeem’s character, stating, “He (Nadeem) is a nice person, speaks in a good manner, gives respect, so (I) feel good.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Chopra shared that his decision to take up javelin was spontaneous. “It (taking up javelin throw) was a sudden moment. I did not know anything about it. When I went to the ground, at that time, it was decided,” he said, recalling his first encounter with the sport in 2011.
Chopra emphasized that excelling in javelin requires a combination of physical attributes and mental fortitude. “It is the combination of all these things, and one thing will not work. And, with all these things combined, the person who will have the best technique will perform well.”
Offering advice to aspiring athletes, Chopra stressed the importance of patience and dedication in sports. “To the youth, I would say that they should not assume in the starting itself that they would be bagging medals. They should exercise patience because sports consume a lot of your time. Your body needs time to grow, your muscles become strong in a good manner. Have patience, and work on your techniques.”
Chopra’s gracious acceptance of his silver medal and his praise for Nadeem’s exceptional performance are testaments to his sportsmanship and humility. His words of encouragement for young athletes highlight the importance of perseverance and dedication in pursuing sporting goals.