[Watch] Neeraj Chopra hugs Arshad Nadeem after the latter seals Paris Olympics gold
With Arshad Nadeem winning a gold medal in the men's javelin throw event at the Paris Olympics 2024 and forcing Neeraj Chopra to settle for a silver, fans have started speculating the start of a new India-Pakistan rivalry. In cricket, the India vs Pakistan game is more than just a fixture to people from both countries and extreme trolls are thrown at each other post every game.
Now with Nadeem edging Chopra in men's javelin, fans are hoping that the India-Pakistan rivalry will etch its name into a new sport. But there's a twist to it. Even though most fans from both sets don't like the other's athletes, Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra are extremely good friends. Rumors even claim that Nadeem looks up to Chopra as a source of inspiration. Moreover, their parents consider Nadeem and Chopra as their own child too.
Just after the men's javelin throw event was over, a visual was seen where Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem hugged each other. Here is the video:
Neeraj Chopra's performance at Paris Olympics 2024
India's golden boy Neeraj Chopra passed the qualification stages with ease. It took him just one throw of 89.34m to book a place in the final, which was slated to be held two days later.
Yesterday, it was perhaps not just Chopra's day. As per the rules, athletes get six throws overall, if they go until the conclusion of the event. Chopra registered a season best in his second shot, which marked 89.45m. But unfortunately, all of his other throws were adjudged as fouls, which is actually a rare visual.
Indian Olympic Association chief, former athlete PT Usha wrote on X about Chopra's performance. Her post read:
"Congratulations dear Neeraj Chopra on winning the silver in javelin! As the saying goes, "Every cloud has a silver lining" and this silver- your season-best is a proof of the hard work you put in & of the untapped potential that you possess! My best wishes to you. Jai Hind."
The 26-year-old track and field athlete will now look forward to his next major competition, the 2025 World Championships, which will be held in Tokyo.