NEW DELHI: History-making Pakistan javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is happy that his competition with Indian superstar Neeraj Chopra is gaining as much attention as the cricket matches between the two bitter neighbors because he thinks it will inspire young people in both countries to pursue sports.
With an incredible Games record of 92.97 meters on Thursday night, Nadeem defeated Chopra for the first time in their 11 face-offs to win the Olympic gold medal.With a season-best performance of 89.45 meters, Chopra won the silver and continued their legendary duel.
“The rivalry is there when it comes to cricket matches and other sports, definitely. But at the same time, it is a good thing for youngsters in both countries who are pursuing a sport to follow us and follow their sports icons and bring laurels to their countries,” the 27-year-old Nadeem told reporters after becoming the first Pakistani to clinch an individual Olympic gold medal, as per PTI.
Additionally, he is Pakistan’s first individual medallist since boxer Hussain Shah won a bronze in the middle weight class at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Even though Nadeem and Chopra are intense rivals on the field, they get along well off it. When Nadeem posted a request on social media a few months ago for money to purchase a good javelin, Chopra was one of the people who came forward to offer assistance.
In the Thursday night final, in which Chopra started as the top qualifier, the over six-foot-tall Nadeem was the dark horse.
However, with two throws that measured over 90 meters, the Pakistani, who won the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with an effort beyond 90 meters, startled the elite field. One of the throws set a new Olympic record, previously held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, who cleared 90.57 meters in the 2008 Beijing Games.
“I am thankful to the nation. Everyone prayed for me, and I was hopeful of doing well. Over the years, I got a knee injury and recovered, and worked hard on my fitness. I was even confident of throwing beyond 92.97m, but that throw was enough for me to get the gold,” Nadeem said of his performance.
“I will continue to work hard and give my best in the days and months to come. I am planning to throw beyond this mark as well.”
Nadeem also shared a glimpse into his early years, revealing that he began as a cricket player, tried his hand at table tennis, and eventually decided to take up javelin throwing after learning that he was physically equipped for it.
“I was a cricketer, I played table tennis, and I also participated in athletics events. But my coach told me I have got a very good physique for the javelin throw and I concentrated on javelin only from 2016,” he said.
“People think my technique is more like a fast bowler than a javelin thrower, but I am happy with this action and the run-up I use. That is because of my early strength as a cricket bowler,” he quipped.
Nadeem, who is from Khanewal village in the Punjab province, stated that his hometown’s early support for his training helped him keep grounded even as he achieved new heights for his nation.
“I come from a farming village, and every time I win a medal I think about my origins and that motivates me to do better. That’s the reason I have remained humble and that’s why I want to become more successful.
“I had to go through very tough times to make it to this stage,” he admitted.
With an incredible Games record of 92.97 meters on Thursday night, Nadeem defeated Chopra for the first time in their 11 face-offs to win the Olympic gold medal.With a season-best performance of 89.45 meters, Chopra won the silver and continued their legendary duel.
“The rivalry is there when it comes to cricket matches and other sports, definitely. But at the same time, it is a good thing for youngsters in both countries who are pursuing a sport to follow us and follow their sports icons and bring laurels to their countries,” the 27-year-old Nadeem told reporters after becoming the first Pakistani to clinch an individual Olympic gold medal, as per PTI.
Additionally, he is Pakistan’s first individual medallist since boxer Hussain Shah won a bronze in the middle weight class at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
Even though Nadeem and Chopra are intense rivals on the field, they get along well off it. When Nadeem posted a request on social media a few months ago for money to purchase a good javelin, Chopra was one of the people who came forward to offer assistance.
In the Thursday night final, in which Chopra started as the top qualifier, the over six-foot-tall Nadeem was the dark horse.
However, with two throws that measured over 90 meters, the Pakistani, who won the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with an effort beyond 90 meters, startled the elite field. One of the throws set a new Olympic record, previously held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, who cleared 90.57 meters in the 2008 Beijing Games.
“I am thankful to the nation. Everyone prayed for me, and I was hopeful of doing well. Over the years, I got a knee injury and recovered, and worked hard on my fitness. I was even confident of throwing beyond 92.97m, but that throw was enough for me to get the gold,” Nadeem said of his performance.
“I will continue to work hard and give my best in the days and months to come. I am planning to throw beyond this mark as well.”
Nadeem also shared a glimpse into his early years, revealing that he began as a cricket player, tried his hand at table tennis, and eventually decided to take up javelin throwing after learning that he was physically equipped for it.
“I was a cricketer, I played table tennis, and I also participated in athletics events. But my coach told me I have got a very good physique for the javelin throw and I concentrated on javelin only from 2016,” he said.
“People think my technique is more like a fast bowler than a javelin thrower, but I am happy with this action and the run-up I use. That is because of my early strength as a cricket bowler,” he quipped.
Nadeem, who is from Khanewal village in the Punjab province, stated that his hometown’s early support for his training helped him keep grounded even as he achieved new heights for his nation.
“I come from a farming village, and every time I win a medal I think about my origins and that motivates me to do better. That’s the reason I have remained humble and that’s why I want to become more successful.
“I had to go through very tough times to make it to this stage,” he admitted.
