Tokyo Olympics – Neeraj Chopra Olympics Tale: Neeraj Chopra reveals very interesting story, ‘Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem took my javelin before 1st throw, I had to tell him, it is mine’ – It’s been a little over two weeks since Neeraj Chopra has won the historic gold medal, but the Tokyo Olympics star continues to dominate headlines all over the country. The 23-year-old became India’s first track and field gold medallist and has fond memories from his maiden Olympics campaign. Neeraj Chopra recently quipped about a funny incident from the Summer Games, involving his friend and fellow Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan.
Tokyo Olympics: Neeraj Chopra reveals very interesting story, ‘Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem took my javelin before 1st throw, I had to tell him, it is mine’
Tokyo Olympics – Neeraj Chopra Olympics Tale: In an interview with the Times of India, Neeraj Chopra revealed that he was left searching for his javelin right before his first attempt in the finals. The 23-year-old said that while he wasn’t able to find it, it was with Arshad Nadeem. Chopra revealed,
“The story is that I was searching for my javelin at the start of the final. I was not able to find it. Suddenly, I saw Arshad Nadeem was moving around with my javelin. Then I told him, ‘Bhai give this javelin to me, it is my javelin! I have to throw with it’. Then he gave it back to me. That’s why you must have seen I took my first throw hurriedly!”
Tokyo Olympics – Neeraj Chopra Olympics Tale: Chopra did decently well with his first throw but made history with his subsequent throws and ultimately clinched the gold medal. Nadeem meanwhile put in a spirited performance but settled for a fifth spot, throwing 84.62m in the finals. The Pakistan athlete has often spoken highly about Neeraj and hails him as his idol. The duo have previously competed at numerous Asian events, but Tokyo was their first Olympics experience.
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When quizzed what he would like to say to Nadeem and people across the border, Neeraj Chopra had nothing but praise for his friend and competitor. Chopra said, “Arshad Nadeem gave a really good performance in the qualifying round as well as the final. I think it is good for Pakistan, they have a chance to show more interest in the javelin and do well at the international stage in the future. My message to people from across the border will be: Support Arshad Nadeem. He has given Pakistan an identity in javelin throw and needs your support.”
Nothing wrong in what Arshad did by taking my javelin to prepare, clarifies Neeraj Chopra
Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra on Thursday said he was “disappointed” to see people pushing their “vested interests” following a viral video that showed the Indian athlete on the lookout for his javelin moments before the finals of the javelin event in August.
The video doing the rounds on social video further showed the Indian athlete spotting his javelin in the hands of Pakistan athlete Arshad Nadeem and then rushing towards him to take it back before his first attempt on the historic night. While the turn of events leading into the throw didn’t hamper Neeraj’s prospects of winning the gold, many fans questioned the motive behind Nadeem picking “someone” else’s javelin. Neeraj on Thursday requested everyone to not use him or any of his comments as a medium to further their vested interests.
“I would request everyone to please not use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interests and propaganda. Sports teaches us to be together and united. I’m extremely disappointed to see some of the reactions from the public on my recent comments,” Neeraj said in a video he posted on Twitter.
Further clarifying the rules of the javelin competition, Neeraj elucidated, “I thank everyone for the love and support. Recently in one of my interviews, I said that I took my javelin from Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem before my first attempt. A big issue has been created out of this, I would like to clarify all throwers as per rule are allowed to use the javelin.
“So there is nothing wrong in what Arshad did by taking my javelin to prepare and I asked him for the javelin for my throw, this is not a big issue. I urge everyone to further not create any issue on this. We all javelin throwers compete in a sporting manner,” he added.
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Tokyo Olympics – Neeraj Chopra Olympics Tale: Neeraj Chopra hopes that his triumph at the Olympics does not signal the beginning of the end and believes that India as a country shouldn’t be satisfied with just one gold medal. The 23-year-old has been caught up in felicitation ceremonies ever since his return to the country, which has impacted training and eventually led him to pull out from the Diamond Cup.
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Tokyo Olympics – Neeraj Chopra Olympics Tale: Chopra hopes that it isn’t the case again and cited that things need to change with interest in Olympic sports in the country. The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist said, “Aisa nahin hona chahiye ki ab medal aa gaya toh sab abhi kar do, aur phir ek mahiney baad sab shaant ho jao” which translates to, “it shouldn’t be as if we have to complete every celebration immediately because an Olympic gold medal has come, and then forget about it after a month. The sport needs continuous attention”.
(with ANI inputs)
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