New Delhi: Elated at her son's <keyword id="19920397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="silver-medal" source="keywords">silver medal</keyword>, <keyword id="22725606" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopras-mother" source="Orion">Neeraj Chopra's mother</keyword> Saroj Devi also expressed happiness for Pakistan's <keyword id="20865533" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arshad-Nadeem" source="keywords">Arshad Nadeem</keyword>, who broke the <keyword id="22581045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic-record" source="keywords">Olympic record</keyword> to beat the Indian defending champion in Paris, saying that the latter is also like her "child". Chopra clinched the silver medal at the Paris Games with a season's best throw of 89.45m after <keyword id="20865536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nadeem" source="keywords">Nadeem</keyword> pulled off an Olympic record-breaking effort of 92.97m on Thursday night. <h2><keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword>'s mother on his win</h2> With the silver win, Chopra became only the third Indian and the first in track-and-field to win back-to-back individual Olympic medals. "We are very happy with the silver, the one who got gold is also our child and the one who got silver is also our child....all are athletes, all work hard," Saroj told PTI Videos in Khandra, Panipat, where the family is based. "Nadeem is also good, he plays well, there is no difference between Neeraj and Nadeem. We got gold and silver there is no difference for us," she added in the interview given on Thursday night. Both Chopra and Nadeem are good friends off the field despite being rivals on it. <h2>'Churma' awaits Neeraj on homecoming</h2> Chopra's fondness for "desi khana" is well-documented and his family is planning to welcome the two-time Olympic medallist with his favourite dish "Churma" "He did really well. We will welcome him with churma which is his favourite. I am delighted, people are lighting firecrackers, we are making ladoos," Saroj added. Chopra's performance is creditable also because of the highly-competitive field in which as many as seven athletes went beyond the 86m mark. "We are very happy. He produced his season's best. All were near 88-89m so competition was very tough. It's not about winning a gold or silver, but about winning a medal, and he did his best," Chopra's aunt Kamlesh said. Chopra is one of India's most decorated athletes, having won the gold at every tournament including the Olympics, World Championships, Diamond League, Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. "After Tokyo there was no medal left except for silver, that was also needed so he got it," Kamlesh said. She said that the family had an inkling that Chopra was unlikely to win a gold after Nadeem's monstrous throw. "After Nadeem's throw (92.97m) we had a feeling (that he will win gold) but he is also our son, we are happy with him. "He's also Asia's son. We don't differentiate between Nadeem and Neeraj. Both have got gold and silver and we are very happy," she added.

Happy for my son, equally happy for Nadeem as he is also our child: Neeraj Chopra's mother

In the high-stakes world of <keyword id="1180773" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Javelin-throw" source="Orion">javelin throw</keyword>, few rivalries capture the imagination quite like that of <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>’s <keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> and <keyword id="19899252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan" source="keywords">Pakistan</keyword>’s <keyword id="20865533" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arshad-Nadeem" source="keywords">Arshad Nadeem</keyword>. Their performance at the <keyword id="4488729" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-2024-Olympics" source="Orion">Paris 2024 Olympics</keyword> was a masterclass in athletic prowess. The clash ended on a slightly disappointing note for the man in blue, as Chopra took home the silver medal while Nadeem clinched Pakistan’s first-ever individual gold medal. Yet, behind this fierce competition lies a remarkable story of camaraderie and mutual respect. Here are five standout moments that highlight their bond. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Post-Olympics praise and respect" comment="subhead" text="Post-Olympics praise and respect">Post-Olympics praise and respect</cmsannotation> After the Paris 2024 Olympics wrapped up with Nadeem's gold and Chopra's silver, the respect between the two was palpable. Despite the sting of defeat, Chopra embraced Nadeem, graciously acknowledging it was "Arshad's day" and commending his performance. Nadeem reciprocated with admiration, celebrating his victory while lauding Chopra’s status in the sport, underscoring that their rivalry is more about mutual admiration than any bitterness. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Saroj Devi's heartfelt gesture" comment="subhead" text="Saroj Devi's heartfelt gesture"><keyword id="21107657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="saroj-devi" source="keywords">Saroj Devi</keyword>'s heartfelt gesture</cmsannotation> In the wake of Neeraj’s silver medal, his mother, Saroj Devi, brought a touching perspective to the rivalry when she referred to Nadeem as her son. She said: “We are happy with the silver. The one who got the gold (Arshad) is also my child,” highlighting the warmth and familial bond that transcends national borders and athletic competition. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Chopra's support for Nadeem's equipment woes" comment="subhead" text="Chopra's support for Nadeem's equipment woes">Chopra's support for Nadeem's equipment woes</cmsannotation> In a show of sportsmanship, just months before the Paris Olympics, Chopra publicly advocated for Nadeem's need for a new javelin when the Pakistani athlete faced challenges acquiring one. Chopra had remarked: “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. Arshad is a top javelin thrower, and I believe that the javelin makers will be more than happy to sponsor him and provide what he needs.” This act of kindness and the commitment to supporting a fellow athlete not only revealed their friendship, but also the importance of backing competitors in their pursuit of greatness. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A symbolic photo op at the World Championships" comment="subhead" text="A symbolic photo op at the World Championships">A symbolic photo op at the World Championships</cmsannotation> During the 2023 World Athletics Championships, a poignant display of sportsmanship occurred when Nadeem, lacking a Pakistani flag, was invited by Chopra to join him for a photo op. Posing together with the Indian flag as a backdrop, this gesture sent a strong message of unity and friendship, capturing their bond in a powerful visual moment that resonated with crores of people across the Indian subcontinent. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Defending Nadeem against media scrutiny" comment="subhead" text="Defending Nadeem against media scrutiny">Defending Nadeem against media scrutiny</cmsannotation> Chopra has consistently stood up for Nadeem, including during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics controversy, when Nadeem was seen using Chopra’s javelin for practice. As media narratives sought to stir discord, Chopra defended Nadeem, clarifying that sharing equipment is common among athletes. His swift defence underscored their mutual respect and Chopra’s commitment to protecting his friend’s reputation. The relationship between Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem exemplifies the essence of sportsmanship. Their friendship and respect not only defy the competitive nature of their sport, but also transcend borders, serving as inspiring examples for athletes, fans and countries altogether.

Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem: 5 instances that show the camaraderie between India and Pakistan’s javelin throwers

New Delhi, Ace Indian pistol shooter <keyword id="20241095" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Manu-Bhaker" source="keywords">Manu Bhaker</keyword> has set her sights on winning multiple medals at the Olympics in the future following her historic feat at the <keyword id="20242595" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Games" source="keywords">Paris Games</keyword>. The 22-year-old scripted history to become the first Indian athlete in post-independence era to win two <keyword id="22481252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic-medals" source="keywords">Olympic medals</keyword> in a single edition of the Games. Bhaker won a bronze each in the women's 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event -- where she had paired with <keyword id="22566736" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sarabjot-Singh" source="keywords">Sarabjot Singh</keyword>. She also came close to winning a third bronze in 25m pistol before finishing a creditable fourth in Paris. No Indian athlete has won more than two individual medals at the Olympics. "I think we all work hard to win medals. But if that happens (winning more than 2 individual medals at Olympics) then that would be great. The aim is to work hard and better this performance in the future," Bhaker told PTI Videos. "(I am) aiming to win many more Olympic medals for India," added Bhaker, who returned to the country after participating in the <keyword id="21485167" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Closing-ceremony" source="keywords">closing ceremony</keyword>. Bhaker had the honour of being India's flagbearer alongside veteran hockey goalkeeper PR Sreejesh at the closing ceremony on Sunday. "Being the flag bearer was the opportunity of a lifetime, I am grateful that I got this opportunity and will cherish this for a lifetime," she said. "I have a very friendly bond with Sreejesh bhaiya. I have known him since I was a young kid. He is always very friendly, helpful and kind. He made it a lot easier for me in the closing ceremony." Bhaker had returned to India last week but had flown back to Paris for the closing ceremony were she was the joint-flagbearer. She was accompanied at the Indira Gandhi International Airport by her coach Jaspal Rana and mother Sumedha. "I am happy for her. I am happy for the players. When I went to Paris, I met the <keyword id="20601214" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hockey-team" source="keywords">Hockey team</keyword>, Aman Sehrawat, Neeraj Chopra. I just hope all these athletes keep winning medals and all the mothers of this nation will be happy," said Bhaker's mother. Bronze-winning <keyword id="20415656" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-hockey-team" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian hockey team" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian hockey team">Indian hockey team</keyword> players Sreejesh, Amit Rohidas, Sumit, Abhishek and Sanjay also arrived here in the morning. They were given a grand welcome by hundreds of fans who greeted them with garlands and dhols. "We are getting a lot of love, hockey players should get more love because we have got two medals (Tokyo and Paris Games). It has been great for the sport of hockey and hockey lovers of the country," Sumit said.

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Happy for my son, equally happy for Nadeem as he is also our child: Neeraj Chopra's mother

PTI

Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem: 5 instances that show the camaraderie between India and Pakistan’s javelin throwers

Kunal Kambli

Manu Bhaker aims for multiple Olympic medals

PTI