World Champion Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s Arshad share a friendship and mutual admiration that transcends borders. The Indian on Friday went a step further as he invited his counterpart for lunch at his home in Khandra, Haryana. The Indian lent out the invite while speaking in a press conference following his World Championship gold medal victory and second-place finish at the Zurich Diamond League.
Also Read: Roger Federer watches Neeraj Chopra’s javelin final in Zurich Diamond League
Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem have been competing against each other for quite sometime now. They however have taken their on-field rivalry in Javelin Throw to another level this year. Both the players made history by finishing in the top two spots in the podium for the first time in history at the World Championships 2023. Their dominance in the world circuit has marked the beginning of the power shift in a spot that was dominated by the Europeans over the last decade.
On Friday, Neeraj was asked about his friendship with Nadeem and whether he would invite him for lunch or dinner. He gave a heart-warming response by stating, “Yes ofcourse. Why only Arshad, all are welcome. In our culture, it is normal to feed anyone who comes here.”
He did not have a flag. I felt bad: Neeraj Chopra
Much recently a video of Neeraj Chopra’s heart-warming gesture after their podium finish in the World Championships went viral. The Indian was posing for pictures with the Indian flag along with bronze medallist Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch.
Arshad Nadeem was however nowhere to be seen as he was searching for a Pakistan flag. Neeraj however called him to join him and they posed with the Indian flag behind. “Arshad played well for Pakistan. He did not have the flag. I felt bad. But he got it later,” said Neeraj in the press interaction.
In the World Championships, both the players were involved in a battle for the gold. Neeraj Chopra had a best throw of 88.17m. Arshad however couldn’t surpass the Indian and settled for silver with a best throw of 87.82m.
Neeraj went on to win India’s first-ever gold medal in World Athletics Championships. Meanwhile, Arshad Nadeem became the first-ever medallist for Pakistan in the prestigious event. Both the players will renew their rivalry in the upcoming Asian Games. In the 2018 edition of the continental event, Neeraj won the gold, while Nadeem clinched the silver.
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