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

<ul><li><keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> has qualified for the finals with a throw of 89.34m.</li><li>The finals for <keyword id="20428510" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mens-javelin-throw" source="keywords">men's javelin throw</keyword> are scheduled for August 8.</li><li>Here are the top rivals that Neeraj Chopra will face in the <keyword id="20006192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris Olympics</keyword> 2024.</li></ul> Defending champion Neeraj Chopra began his Paris Olympics journey on Tuesday as he looks to defend his title in men's javelin throw. Chopra qualified for the men's javelin throw final of the Olympic Games with a season's best effort of 89.34m. Much like his performance in the Tokyo Olympics, the 26-year-old crossed the automatic qualifying mark of 84m in his opening throw. The reigning Olympic and world champion earlier had a season's best of 88.36m set at the Doha Diamond League in May where he finished second. He holds the national record of 89.94m, achieved at the Stockholm Diamond League in Sweden in June 2022. If he wins the <keyword id="20342188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-medal" source="keywords">gold medal</keyword> on August 8, he will become the fifth man in Olympic history to defend his title and the first Indian to win two gold medals in an individual event. Among the top contenders challenging Neeraj Chopra for the gold medal will be <keyword id="21117268" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jakub-Vadlejch" source="keywords">Jakub Vadlejch</keyword> of Czechia. Grenada's Anderson Peters, Pakistan's <keyword id="4717164" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arshad-Nadeem" source="Orion">Arshad Nadeem</keyword>, Julius Yego of Kenya, Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and Finland's Oliver Helander add to the high stakes at the Olympics. Germany's Max Dehning holds the world-leading mark of 90.20m, achieved in February. He has not gone past the 82m mark since then but his personal best still makes him one of the top contenders. The qualification round will decide the line-up for Thursday's men's javelin throw final. Athletes achieving the qualifying mark of 84.00m will make the final. Here's a look at Neeraj Chopra's top rivals at the Paris Olympics 2024: <h3>Arshad Nadeem</h3><keyword id="14533770" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra-vs-Arshad-Nadeem" source="Orion">Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem</keyword> is one of the most anticipated India vs Pakistan rivalries in athletics. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem won the silver medal at the World Championships last year and gold at the Commonwealth Games 2022 with a massive 90.18m distance. <h3>Julian Weber</h3>Julian Weber, the reigning European Games champion from Germany has a personal best of 89.54m. He is ranked third in the world and his season's best of 88.37m came in May. <h3>Oliver Helander</h3>Oliver Helander of Finland is ranked fourth in the world and has a season's best of 85.75m. Earlier this year, he went head-to-head with Neeraj Chopra at the Paavo Nurmi Games. Chopra had topped the event with a distance of 85.97m while Helander was third at 83.96m. <h3>Keshorn Walcott</h3>Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago will be gunning for his third Olympic medal in his fourth appearance. He won the gold medal at London 2012, bronze at Rio 2016 and missed out at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The 31-year-old goes into the Olympics with a season-best of 85.11m and could prove to be a dark horse. <h3>Keshorn Walcott</h3>Julius Yego of Kenya, the Rio 2016 silver medallist, could prove to be a dark horse as well. The former world champion, now 35, has a season's best distance of 81.74m. With inputs from agencies. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/unicommerce-esolutions-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/112307438.cms">Unicommerce eSolutions IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/electric-two-wheeler-sales-cross-the-1-lakh-mark-after-four-months-ola-electric-leads-the-market/articleshow/112288793.cms">Electric two-wheeler sales cross the 1 lakh mark after four months, Ola Electric leads the market</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/global-smartphone-market-records-8-growth-in-q2-2024-samsung-takes-the-top-spot/articleshow/112223188.cms">Global smartphone market records 8% growth in Q2 2024, Samsung takes the top spot</a>

Neeraj Chopra qualifies for finals with a first throw of 89.34m – top rivals to look out for

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

Gold eluded defending champion <keyword id="1115774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="Orion">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> as he signed off with a silver in the Olympics men's javelin throw event, while Pakistan's <keyword id="4717164" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arshad-Nadeem" source="Orion">Arshad Nadeem</keyword> bossed the field with a new Games record of 92.97m here on Thursday. The 26-year-old Chopra, who has never lost to Nadeem in their earlier 10 meetings, took the silver with his second round throw of 89.45m. He had won gold in Tokyo with a throw of 87.58m three years ago. The season's best effort was the Indian's only legitimate throw of the evening. Nadeem's monster effort -- sixth longest in history -- also came in his second attempt which was like a bolt from the blue that stunned the Stade de France. The earlier Olympic record stood at 90.57m in the name of Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, set during the 2008 Beijing Games. Nadeem also signed off in style with a closing throw of 91.79m. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/vivo-v40-pro-vs-oneplus-12r-battle-of-the-mid-range-smartphones/slidelist/112377199.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/webstories/vivo-v40-pro-vs-oneplus-12r-battle-of-the-mid-range-smartphones/slidelist/112377199.cms" target="_blank">Vivo V40 Pro vs OnePlus 12R – battle of the mid-range smartphones</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbi-mpc-meet-cheque-clearing-time-reduced-upi-limit-increased-for-tax-payment/articleshow/112366099.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/rbi-mpc-meet-cheque-clearing-time-reduced-upi-limit-increased-for-tax-payment/articleshow/112366099.cms" target="_blank">RBI MPC meet – Cheque clearing time reduced, UPI limit increased for tax payment</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-wants-to-re-enter-the-quick-commerce-business-to-take-on-blinkit-and-swiggy-instamart/articleshow/112364583.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ola-wants-to-re-enter-the-quick-commerce-business-to-take-on-blinkit-and-swiggy-instamart/articleshow/112364583.cms" target="_blank">Ola wants to re-enter the quick commerce business to take on Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart</a>

Defending champion Neeraj Chopra signs off with silver medal in Paris Olympics men's javelin throw, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem takes gold

From Jan Zeleny to Neeraj Chopra: The GOAT javelin athletes

"It takes a village to raise a champion" is an apt way of describing <keyword id="19899252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pakistan" source="keywords">Pakistan</keyword>'s <keyword id="6354367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Commonwealth-Games" source="Orion">Commonwealth Games</keyword> champion <keyword id="20765859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="javelin-thrower" source="keywords">javelin thrower</keyword> <keyword id="20865533" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Arshad-Nadeem" source="keywords">Arshad Nadeem</keyword>'s rise, as he made it to his maiden Olympic final here on Tuesday. For the record, the only Asian javelin thrower to breach the 90-meter mark isn't reigning Olympic champion <keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword>, but his cross-border neighbour Nadeem, with whom he has shared a very cordial relationship. Pakistan, a country where cricket is believed to be the only sport where serious investments come in, Nadeem's achievements aren't because of the system, but despite it. No wonder, villagers in Khanewal in Pakistan's Punjab province celebrated their boy's qualification with a lot of fervour. "People have no idea how Arshad got to this place today. How his fellow villagers and relatives used to donate money so that he could travel to other cities for his training and events in his early days," his father Muhammad Ashraf told PTI on phone. Pakistan sent a total of seven athletes to Paris and six of them failed to qualify for the finals of their respective events with Nadeem, 27, now Pakistan's last and biggest hope for a medal in the Olympics. Right after Nadeem's qualification for the finals for the second successive Olympics, there was celebration at his house where his parents, brothers, wife and two children and fellow villagers raised slogans of 'Pakistan Zindabad'. His parents also distributed sweets. But his father says the work is still not done."If my son can bring home an Olympic medal for Pakistan it would be the proudest moment for us and everyone in this village," he said. He recalls that when his son first took up javelin throwing and had to go for trials and competitions up country, how his fellow villagers would all chip in with contributions for his journey. "If he wins a medal, it will be a triumph for everyone in our village and our country," he said. Pakistani hopes are high as Arshad has won a silver medal at the World Championship last year, and also gold in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022. When he won gold, he became the first Pakistani athlete since 1962 to do so at the CWG. He took the gold with a massive throw that covered 90.18m distance. On Tuesday he qualified for the finals with a throw of 86.59 m, but his main rival and India's gold medal hope, Neeraj Chopra produced a massive throw off 89.34 to top the qualification chart. The rivalry and camaraderie of <keyword id="22691401" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nadeem-and-Neeraj" source="Orion">Nadeem and Neeraj</keyword> is well documented as in the last Olympics in Tokyo. While the Indian star won gold for his country, his rival finished in fifth place in final standings. Few months back, when Nadeem appealed for authorities to replace his old javelin with a new one for his training, Neeraj promptly supported Arshad's case on social media. Since first emerging on the scene in competitions, Nadeem had made significant progress in his career and his family, and fans are confident he can better the fifth place finish in Tokyo. Despite his career being hit by elbow, knee and back problems for which he even required a knee surgery last year, and burdened by the lack of top facilities and equipment available to athletes of other countries, Nadeem has already achieved a lot by getting the Pakistani people to closely follow his feats instead of cricket. On Thursday, he faces a Himalayan task in the javelin throw finals. No Pakistani athlete has ever won a Olympics gold medal in any individual competition leave alone track and field.

A father recalls: It took a village to get behind Arshad Nadeem's Olympic final qualification

<keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> is all about greatness without pretensions. A fierce competitor, a superstar of <keyword id="20682485" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-sports" source="keywords">Indian sports</keyword>, and a humble human being who would make no bones about his limitations or desires, the double <keyword id="19922930" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic-medallist" source="keywords">Olympic medallist</keyword> from India, is all rolled into one. He may want the top prize for himself, but would not be envious if the rival pips him. He would tell himself to accept what he got, and work harder to achieve what he desires. He would not pretend that he does not care for <keyword id="21025703" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="brand-endorsement" source="keywords">brand endorsement</keyword>. He certainly wants it, money matters, but would not compromise on his training for that. The 17-minute interaction with the Indian media after winning a silver medal in the <keyword id="4833237" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="Orion">Paris Olympics</keyword> was more than just a routine question-answer session. 'Your first throw was foul then in the second...,' the scribe had not even completed his question before Chopra quipped, "Saari throw fouls hi thi sir sirf doosri hi theek thi (All throws were foul, except the second one)," he said, chuckling, and the 50-strong group joined him in laughter. It was not a great deal for him to say he fouled five of his six attempts. The long Q and A session was largely in Hindi with Indian and Pakistani journalists asking questions, but when the volunteer requested an answer in English for the benefit of few foreign scribes, Chopra laid bare his simplicity. "Now I need to motivate myself to speak in English, the way I motivate myself for competition," he said with a smile, as the gathered group burst out in laughter. 'Can you describe the competition between you and Nadeem, India and Pakistan,' the foreign scribe asked again, requesting the answer in English. Well, he explained pretty well, effortlessly. "It was a really great competition. Maybe one of the greatest competitions in history. Arshad threw really well. I was also in good shape. But I don't know. My runway was not that good today," he responded quickly, without having to think much. It was inevitable that he would be asked about the missed competitions in the 2024 season, leading up to the <keyword id="19916613" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris" source="keywords">Paris</keyword> Games. It led to speculations whether he was carrying injury into the Paris Games. He had skipped the Paris <keyword id="74857" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diamond-League" source="Orion">Diamond League</keyword> in July, just before the Games, though he later clarified that the event was not part of his competition calendar. He revealed how difficult it becomes for him to say no to the organisers despite fitness concerns. With a wide grin, he said, "Of course I need to play more but then I send those carefully drafted messages that I have suffered a strain and I won't compete. "In few competitions I have played just for the sake of organisers, so that they don't feel bad. I keep thinking that I have entered the competition and if I don't go, they will say I am making excuses. Personally I love to compete as much as possible. "I make plans but then you tell your team, 'let's draft a good message, saying sorry for pulling out," he said, laughing, but the pain of missing the event was writ large. "No happiness is greater than playing. You work hard to compete only. Whatever strength God has given me I do." Then came a tricky one. He was asked about the pressure of sponsors in the Olympic cycle. How he finds that balance between brand endorsements, obligations and training? Again, he came up with an honest answer. "I put my game on top priority after Tokyo and after Tokyo Games only I got the opportunity to get associated with brands. It is difficult for us that brands come after you, and if you get it, why will you leave that opportunity. Just do it," he said, with all honesty. "It also opens the way for kids (next generation), 'nahi to shreer hi tootega khel khel key, last mein kuch nahi rahega." How many athletes say that so openly? "So I balance it. Priority is sport. This was an Olympic year, so whatever commitments I had, I fulfilled in the first half. "You have seen I have been training outside since Tokyo." He could be upset inside for not being able to defend his title, but accepted that Thursday was Nadeem's day. Lastly, volunteers did their best to push him out of the mixed zone, but he would keep coming back either to sign autographs or honour the request for selfies. After all, he knows how to find a balance between different things and saying no is the most difficult thing for him.

Neeraj Chopra: A legendary athlete on field, a superstar without pretension off it

Paris: Javelin thrower <keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword>, who earned a <keyword id="19920397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="silver-medal" source="keywords">silver medal</keyword> at the <keyword id="20006192" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-Olympics" source="keywords">Paris Olympics</keyword>, said on Friday that while he gave his best, it was Pakistan's <keyword id="20865533" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arshad-Nadeem" source="keywords">Arshad Nadeem</keyword>'s day to win gold. Chopra said it was time to assess his performance and focus on future improvements. "We all feel happy whenever we win a medal for the country. It's time to improve the game now. We will sit and discuss and enhance our performance," Chopra told ANI. Chopra said that the competition was tough and that every athlete has their day, adding, "Today was Arshad's day. I gave my best, but some things need to be addressed and worked on." He expressed confidence in India's future Olympic prospects, saying, "India played well (at the Paris Olympics). Our national anthem may not have been played today, but it will be heard in the future." Chopra won silver with a best throw of 89.45 meters at the Paris Olympics. His best throw came on his second attempt, but four consecutive fouls hindered his chances of winning gold. Following his performance, Chopra became the second male athlete post-independence to win two Olympic medals in an individual event. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem won gold with a throw of 92.97 meters, setting a new Olympic record and surpassing Denmark's Andreas Thorkildsen's mark from Beijing 2008. Grenada's <keyword id="21600574" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="anderson-peters" source="keywords">Anderson Peters</keyword> secured bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters. Earlier, Chopra had achieved a throw of 89.34 meters in the Group B qualification round, his second-best all-time throw. Despite a competitive rivalry with Nadeem, where Chopra led 9-0 in their head-to-head matchups, Nadeem's throw of 90.18 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games exceeded Chopra's top effort.

"I gave my best, but it was Arshad's day": Neeraj Chopra reflects on missing gold at Paris Olympics

It took just two rounds of throws on Thursday night, and the fate of the men’s <keyword id="19934351" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="javelin-throw" source="keywords">javelin throw</keyword> final at the <keyword id="20201477" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Paris-2024-Olympics" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Paris 2024 Olympics" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Paris 2024 Olympics">Paris 2024 Olympics</keyword> seemed to have been sealed. As crores of Indians brimmed with anticipation for a historic gold repeat, a shiny silver landed on <keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword>’s lap despite an incredibly gritty effort. On day 13 of the ongoing <keyword id="19933819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympics" source="keywords">Olympics</keyword>, India's golden boy had to settle for silver with a throw of 89.45m, which was very close to his personal best. However, Pakistan's <keyword id="20865533" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arshad-Nadeem" source="keywords">Arshad Nadeem</keyword> stole the show, setting a new Olympic record and clinching the coveted <keyword id="20342188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-medal" source="keywords">gold medal</keyword>. He came up with a sensational throw of 92.97 metres in his second attempt that not only dethroned defending champion Neeraj but also created a new Olympic record. The earlier Olympic record stood at 90.57m in the name of Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, set during the 2008 Beijing Games. Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed bronze with best throw of 88.54 metres in his fourth attempt. <h2>Final moments of javelin throw in Paris 2024</h2>Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, also displayed immense courage and determination throughout the competition. With the sliver in Paris 2024, Neeraj became the fourth Indian athlete to clinch two individual Olympic medals, after shuttler PV Sindhu (one silver, one bronze), wrestler Sushil Kumar (one silver, one bronze) and shooter Manu Bhaker (two bronze). In the finals, however, reeling under the pressure to beat the record-breaking second throw from Nadeem, Neeraj fouled five times with four consecutive breaches after his second attempt of 89.45 m. In his sixth and final attempt, Nadeem again breached the coveted 90 m mark with an impressive of 91.79m to establish his dominance. Nadeem's exceptional performance proved to be insurmountable. Despite the disappointment of not defending his title, Chopra's <keyword id="19920397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="silver-medal" source="keywords">silver medal</keyword> remains a testament to his unwavering dedication and skill. It also marked India's first silver medal at the Paris Olympics so far. <h2>A new chapter in Indo-Pak sporting rivalry</h2>Nadeem's victory is a monumental moment in Pakistan’s sporting history, being the country’s first Olympics gold in athletics. His record-breaking throw has not only secured him Olympic glory but also marked a new chapter in the Indo-Pak sporting rivalry. Chopra and Nadeem have added a new dimension to this decades-old sporting narrative, showcasing the spirit of top-class competition and sportsmanship in athletics, which remains an underappreciated field in both countries. The 26-year-old Chopra had never lost to Nadeem in their earlier 10 clashes throughout World and Asian Athletics Championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympics. As the dust settles on this thrilling final, both Chopra and Nadeem have etched their names in the annals of Olympic history. While India celebrates Chopra's silver, the subcontinent as a whole is bowing to the extraordinary talent displayed by both athletes. (With inputs from agencies) Also Read: <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112323364" title="A father recalls: It took a village to get behind Arshad Nadeem&amp;#39;s Olympic final qualification" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112379419" title="Paris Olympics: Indian men&amp;#39;s hockey team wins bronze medal, repeat their feat from Tokyo Olympics" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div>

Neeraj Chopra settles for India’s first silver in Paris 2024 as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem strikes gold with a new Olympic record in javelin throw

India's two-time <keyword id="19986816" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympic" source="keywords">Olympic</keyword> medal-winning <keyword id="19934351" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="javelin-throw" source="keywords">javelin throw</keyword> star <keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> has qualified for this month's season finale of the prestigious <keyword id="21269820" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Diamond-League" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Diamond League" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Diamond League">Diamond League</keyword> after finishing fourth in the overall standings at the end of its 14 series meetings across the world. The season finale will be a two-day affair on September 14 and 15 in <keyword id="20168467" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Brussels" source="keywords">Brussels</keyword>. Chopra accumulated 14 points from his two second-place finishes in the one-day meets held in Doha and Lausanne. He skipped the last series meet in Zurich on Thursday. The 26-year-old is two points adrift of Czechia's Jakub Vadlech. Grenada's Anderson Peters and German star Julian Weber occupy the top two spots with 29 and 21 points respectively. Peters had pipped Weber in the Zurich meet. Chopra, who won gold in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and added a silver to his kitty in the Paris edition last month, has been struggling with his fitness this season. The Haryana-lad has talked about a groin injury troubling him since before the Olympic Games that has come in the way of his quest to hit the 90m mark. The Indian finished second in the Lausanne Diamond Leg, bested by Peters, who threw 90.61m. In Paris Olympics, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem had taken the gold with a monster throw of 92.97m. "First goal, go to the doctor and make my groin 100 per cent fit and also I will be technically better and try to throw far again," he had said last month about his plans for this year and the coming one. Chopra had won the Lausanne leg in 2022 and 2023 and finished second behind Vadlejch in the winner-takes-all finale in Eugene, USA, last year. Each Diamond League season finale champion is awarded a prestigious "Diamond Trophy", USD 30,000 prize money and a wild card for the <keyword id="20013163" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Athletics-Championships" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Athletics Championships" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="World Athletics Championships">World Athletics Championships</keyword>. The DL finale will mark the end of Chopra's season. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/india-beats-the-us-to-emerge-as-the-second-biggest-market-for-5g-smartphones/articleshow/113095322.cms">India beats the US to emerge as the second-biggest market for 5G smartphones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-iphone-16-to-launch-on-september-9-design-specs-and-everything-we-know-so-far/articleshow/113091114.cms">Apple iPhone 16 to launch on September 9 – design, specs and everything we know so far</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/shree-tirupati-balajee-agro-trading-ipo-price-band-to-risk-factors-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/113082663.cms">Shree Tirupati Balajee Agro Trading IPO – Price band to risk factors, all you need to know</a>

Neeraj Chopra qualifies for Diamond League season finale in Brussels

India <keyword id="19934351" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="javelin-throw" source="keywords">javelin throw</keyword> star <keyword id="19968766" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="keywords">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> opened up about his injury woes after clinching a <keyword id="19920397" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="silver-medal" source="keywords">silver medal</keyword> in the <keyword id="19933819" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Olympics" source="keywords">Olympics</keyword>, revealing that he might have to undergo surgery, soon after having pushed himself extremely hard to compete here, while battling a constant fear of breaking down. Chopra was dealing with a nagging adductor niggle (a problem related to muscles in the thigh) in the run up to the Paris Games. But he managed a season's best effort of 89.45m to secure a silver medal, making him the first <keyword id="22726220" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="track-and-field-athlete" source="keywords">track-and-field athlete</keyword> from India to have two Olympic medals, the first being an unprecedented <keyword id="19895579" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold" source="keywords">gold</keyword> in <keyword id="19909001" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tokyo" source="keywords">Tokyo</keyword>. Chopra finished behind Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who stole the show with an Olympic record-shattering throw of 92.97m to become the first individual Olympic gold-medallist from his country. "I have a lot on my mind. When I am throwing, 60-70% focus of my is on the injury. I don't want to get injured. Whenever I go for a throw, you will see that my speed is low. I am pushing myself," he said. "The doctor told me to go for surgery, but I didn't have that much time to take that decision before the world championship or after the world championship, because it takes a lot of time to prepare for the Olympics," he added, referring to the 2023 world championship where he won gold. The 26-year-old, despite not being at his best here, became only the third Indian to win back-to-back Olympic medals after PV Sindhu and Sushil Kumar. "I am still pushing myself," he said with a hint of frustration. "It's not good in sport, it's not good to push and continue. If you want to run a long career, then you have to be fit and healthy but there are competitions where you can't make a decision. Now we will work on this and work on the technique," he added. Chopra said he will talk to his team and then "take a decision". He also detailed how the last seven years have been tough for him as far as fitness is concerned. "I felt this in 2017. After that, I got a lot of treatments. But I will have to take a big decision for this," he said. <h2>Won't find peace till I get a big throw</h2> He didn't mention the 90m mark but Chopra said he has potential to achieve bigger throws. Chopra's career-best remains 89.94m which was achieved back in 2022. "The distance that I had in me in 2016, especially in 2018, when I scored an 88m in the <keyword id="20007738" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="asian-games" source="keywords">Asian Games</keyword>, after that, I feel that I still have a lot of throws left. So, until that happens, I won't be able to find peace. And I want to tell you that there is a lot inside," he said without getting into the specifics. "And I will do it. I will keep my mind ready for the future. I will work on things. I will keep myself fit." <h2>Haven't been able to throw as well</h2> Chopra, perhaps for the first time, talked about just how badly the niggle has affected him. "I am not able to throw from a full runway. I have been throwing for the past year or two. Maximum throwers throw 40-50 in a session. It took me 2-3 weeks to complete a session because there is a fear of injury. "It is very difficult. I am forcefully pulling it." He also explained that his lower body is as important as the throwing arm in getting the right elevation and speed. "If the rest of the body doesn't work, it won't help. I can go for a heavy and fast heave but when there is a broken leg, there are a lot of technical things. It is very difficult to throw with just the arm, to put all your power on it. "It gets wasted if the legs don't work properly. So there are a lot of technical things. I will not go into it, you won't understand." Chopra said he finds it painful to miss competitions because of fitness concerns."My coach always says that if you get a good blocking leg and a good groin then the throw will be 2-3-4 meters ahead and then I have to send a message saying, 'Sorry, I have to withdraw'. "Personally, I don't like it at all," he said.

Was just pushing myself due to Olympics, have to take decision on surgery now, says Neeraj Chopra

Mohali (Punjab) [India], August 28 (ANI): Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur heaped praise on India's javelin ace <keyword id="1115774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Neeraj-Chopra" source="Orion">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> who clinched India's first <keyword id="28217" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-medal" source="Orion">gold medal</keyword> at the <keyword id="124430" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-athletics-championships" source="Orion">World Athletics Championships</keyword>. Neeraj recorded his best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt in the Championship final and managed to keep his lead intact till the very end. Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, the Commonwealth Games champion finished with silver with a throw of 87.82 m. Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch secured bronze with a best throw of 86.67 m. "Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for winning gold at the World Athletics Championship 2023. The Golden Boy of athletics has done it again. Not only in the World Athletics Championship, Neeraj Chopra has won gold in several other Championships also. This is a big achievement for India in the field of Athletics. I am also pleased about the fact that not only Neeraj, but in the final six three Indian athletes made their place, Kishore Jenna and Manu DP performed well," Anurag Thakur said while speaking to ANI. The other two Indian athletes in the mix were <keyword id="4904763" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kishore-jena" source="Orion">Kishore Jena</keyword> (best of 84.77 m), who finished fifth while DP Manu (best of 84.14 m) finished sixth. "The environment of sports in India has changed over the last few years. The Prime Minister also increased the sports budget by 3 times, he gave the go-ahead for the TOP scheme and also green lighted the Khelo India games. This has ethused the athletes and this has shown in their performance also" said the minister. With Chopra's success, India now has medals of all colours at the World Championships. This was Neeraj's second medal at the World Championships after he secured a silver last year. India's last medalist at the prestigious world event was Anju Bobby George back in the 2003 World Championships when she clinched bronze in the women's long jump. In the first round of attempts, Finland's <keyword id="14198716" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="oliver-helander" source="Orion">Oliver Helander</keyword> took the lead with a throw of 83.38 m. Neeraj Chopra's first throw was a foul, giving him a start that he did not want. The first throws of Kishore Jena and DP Manu were 75.70 m and 78.44 respectively. But it was not enough to give them a top-three spot. At the end of the first round of attempts, Helander led the field. In the second round of attempts, Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch took the lead with a throw of 84.18 m. However, Neeraj overcame the nerves of a bad start, outdoing Jakub with a monstrous 88.17 m throw to take the lead. Manu's second attempt was a foul. Jena's second throw was a solid 82.82 m and took him to the fifth spot. Neeraj led with a massive 88.17 m after the second round of attempts. The third round of attempts started and Neeraj recorded a throw of 86.32 m, the second-best in the competition so far. He managed to maintain his lead. However, with a massive throw of 87.82 m, Pakistan's Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem jumped to the number two spot. He recorded his season-best throw and less than a meter separated him from the Olympic champion Neeraj. With a third attempt of 83.72 m, Manu was still in fifth. Jena's third attempt was a foul and he remained at seventh spot. Neeraj led with 88.17 at the end of round three of attempts. Jena's fourth attempt was 80.19 m and kept him at the seventh spot at the start of fourth round of attempts. Manu's fourth attempt was a foul, keeping him at the fifth spot. Neeraj recorded the fourth throw of 84.64 m, still in the lead. However, Nadeem was still pretty close to him, throwing 87.15 m in the fourth attempt and having the second-best throw overall from earlier. Neeraj led the field at the end of the fourth round of attempts. Jena's fifth attempt was 84.77 m, taking him to fourth spot, one away from a bronze. Nadeem's fifth throw was a foul, delivering a blow to his hopes of a first spot. Neeraj's fifth throw was 87.73 m and kept him in the lead. However, it was just inches away from Nadeem's second-best throw of 87.82 m from earlier. Manu recorded 83.48 m and Jena recorded 84.77 in their fifth attempts. Jena was fifth while Manu at sixth. Neeraj still led the field. In the final round of attempts, Manu was still at sixth with an 84.14 m throw in the final attempt. Jena committed a foul and stayed at fifth. Nadeem's final throw was 81.86 m and failed to overcome Neeraj's 88.17 m in his final attempt. In this way, Nadeem settled for a silver and Neeraj made history with India's first-ever World Championships gold. (ANI)

Golden Boy of athletics has done it again: Sports Minister Anurag Thakur lauds Neeraj Chopra

Budapest, <keyword id="96627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="olympic-champion" source="Orion">Olympic champion</keyword> <keyword id="1115774" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="neeraj-chopra" source="Orion">Neeraj Chopra</keyword> on Sunday scripted history yet again as he became the first Indian to win a <keyword id="28217" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-medal" source="Orion">gold medal</keyword> in the <keyword id="124430" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-athletics-championships" source="Orion">World Athletics Championships</keyword> with a best throw of 88.17m in the men's javelin final here. In another first, three Indians finished in top eight with Kishore Jena (84.77m) and DP Manu (84.14m) taking the fifth and sixth spots respectively. Never before did three Indians finish in top eight of an event in the World Championships. The 25-year-old Chopra dominated the competition and achieved his best throw of the day in his second attempt. He had a foul to start with, but then got 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m and 83.98m. Pakistan's reigning Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem took the silver with his season's best throw of 87.82m, while Jakub Vadlejch (86.67m) of Czech Republic got the bronze. Olympic champion Chopra began with a foul but jumped to top spot with his second throw, and from thereon, he led the field till the end. Nadeem also maintained his second position from the third round after which it was 1-2 for the Indo-Pak duo till the end. Chopra thus beat Nadeen once again as the Indian also won gold in the 2016 South Asian Games. Since then, the two have competed against each other in more than a dozen events and Chopra always returned triumphant. Chopra has now become only the second Indian -- after legendary shooter Abhinav Bindra -- to simultaneously hold the Olympics and World Championships title. Bindra won the World Championships title when he was 23, and the Olympics gold at 25. Chopra, who had become the first Indian Olympic track and field gold medallist in the Tokyo Games in 2021, had won a silver in the 2022 edition of the World Championships. Before him, legendary long jumper Anju Bobby George had won a bronze in the 2003 World Championships. The Indian superstar also became only the third javelin thrower in history to simultaneously hold the Olympics and World Championships titles after the iconic Jan Zelezny of Czech Republic and Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway. Zelezny clinched the Olympics gold in 1992, 1996 and 2000 while winning World Championships title in 1993, 1995 and 2001. Thorkildsen won gold in the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 World Championships. With his feat on Sunday, Chopra has won every title his sport has to offer. He has won gold in the Asian Games (2018) and Commonwealth Games (2018), besides four individual Diamond League Meeting titles (two each in 2022 and 2023) and Diamond League champion's trophy last year. He also became junior world champion in 2016 and won the Asian Championships title in 2017. Meanwhile, the Indian men's 4x400m relay team raised hopes of a historic medal after finishing second overall in the heats with Asian record time of 2 minute 59.51 seconds on Saturday. But, in the final on Sunday, the quartet of Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi and Rajesh Ramesh could do no better than finish a creditable fifth with a time of 2:59.92. Parul Chaudhary created a national record of 9 minute 15.31 seconds while finishing 11th in women's 3000m steeplechase final. The earlier record was held by Lalita Babar (9:19.76) who had finished eighth in the final of the 2015 World Championships. Chopra's gold on the last day of competitions brought cheers to the Indian camp after an underwhelming start. Except for the performances of Chopra, Jena, Manu, Parul Chaudhary, the men's 4x400m relay team and Jeswin Aldrin (11th in men's long jump final), the World Championships outing was mediocre for the remaining Indians. Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable were tipped to be the best performers after Chopra but both failed to qualify for the finals in their respective events, much to the disappointment of the Indian camp. In the 2022 edition, apart from the silver won by Chopra, five other Indians had made it to the finals. In the last edition of the showpiece, Chopra was beaten by Anderson Peters of Grenada for the gold. The Indian had settled for a landmark silver then with a best throw of 88.13m in the final to become only the second from the country and first male track and field athlete to win a medal in the World Championships. Peters, who had won gold in 2019 also, could not make it to Sunday's final after he failed to even touch the 80m mark in Friday's qualification round which Chopra topped with his single throw of 88.77m. It was a tense start as Chopra fouled his first throw but he roared back with 88.17m in his second effort to jump to the top. He had 86.32m in his third attempt. Chopra led the field at the end of the first three rounds when the bottom four out of the 12 competitors were eliminated. By then, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem catapulted himself to second spot with a third round throw of 87.82m. DP Manu also moved up to fifth while Jena too made the top eight at seventh after three rounds. Germany's Julian Weber was third after the first three rounds but Vadlejch grabbed the bronze medal with his fifth round throw of 86.67m. There was no change in the top two as Nadeem could not better his third round throw of 87.82m, though he came close to it in the fourth round with 87.15m. He fouled his fifth attempt and by the time the Pakistani sent his spear to just 81.86m in his sixth and final attempt, the gold was assured for Chopra. The Indian took the final throw but could come up with only 83.98m which, however, was inconsequential.

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