Recognized for their close bond off the field, Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra stand as formidable javelin stars with a deep respect for each other’s talents. As they gear up for the upcoming outdoor season, Chopra is undergoing training sessions in Turkey while Nadeem, at 27 years old, faces a significant hurdle in obtaining a new javelin, having relied on the same equipment for the past seven to eight years.
Expressing astonishment at Nadeem’s plight, Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, underscores the importance of ensuring adequate equipment for athletes of Nadeem’s caliber. Chopra notes, “It is hard to believe that he has been struggling to get a new javelin. Given his credentials, this should not be a big issue at all.”
In a recent conversation with SAI Media, Chopra emphasizes the necessity of proper equipment for Nadeem’s preparations ahead of the Paris Olympics, stating, “When I started off in 2015, competing in international events I got this javelin … for an international athlete aiming to win a medal in the Olympic Games, you need proper equipment and training facilities.”
Chopra, whose training and international tours are supported by India’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme, urges Nadeem’s government to extend assistance, suggesting, “It can’t be that he (Arshad) doesn’t have the means to buy a javelin. He is a champion and must be doing some brand endorsements.”
Reflecting on Nadeem’s remarkable achievement at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he clinched a gold medal with a javelin throw record, Chopra advocates for increased support from Nadeem’s government. Looking forward to the Paris Olympics, Chopra envisions a competitive field, anticipating a strong challenge from both Asian athletes to the traditional European dominance in javelin throwing.
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