Bhubaneswar: It was Arshad Nadeem’s day, said India’s Golden Boy Neeraj Chopra after being stunned by an Olympic-record-breaking throw from the Pakistani athlete. Arshad threw 92.97m — the farthest an athlete has thrown in a javelin final at the Games since Andreas Thorkildsen’s 90.57m in Beijing in 2008.
Neeraj’s throw of 89.45m earned him the second spot on the podium. “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 improve the performance…India played well (at the Paris Olympics)….The competition was good (today)…but every athlete have their day, today was Arshad’s day…I gave my best but some things need to be looked upon and worked upon…Our national anthem may not have been played today, but it will definitely be played somewhere else in the future…” he said.
The 26-year-old admitted that he “won’t be at peace” unless he achieves greater highs than his Paris feat. “I have been competing against Arshad since 2016 but this is the first time I have lost to him. But credit where credit is due, Arshad has worked really hard and he was better than me on the night. Congratulations to him,” he added.
Neeraj did not seem at his best in the final as he struggled with his throws. He managed just one legitimate throw, that of 89.45m off his second attempt and eventually conceded the crown to Arshad, who became Pakistan’s first Olympic medal winner since Barcelona 1992.
With this silver, Neeraj has become the fifth two-time Olympic medallist from India. Only Norman Pritchard, Sushil Kumar, PV Sindhu and Manu Bhaker have achieved the same with the latter claiming two bronze medals at Paris Olympics 2024. He is also only the third athlete besides Sushil and Sindhu to win medals at two separate Summer Games.
President & PM lauds Neeraj’s performance
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have lauded the Indian javelin thrower. President Murmu congratulated Neeraj Chopra and said that India is proud of him. “Heartiest congratulations to Neeraj Chopra on winning silver medal in Paris Olympics and scripting history. He is the first Indian athlete to win a gold and a silver medal in two successive Olympic Games. India is proud of him. His feat will inspire generations to come. India looks forward to Neeraj Chopra bringing home more medals and glory in the future,” President Murmu said in a post on X.
PM Modi also heaped praises on the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win two successive Olympic medals. “Neeraj Chopra is excellence personified! Time and again he’s shown his brilliance. India is elated that he comes back with yet another Olympic success. Congratulations to him on winning the Silver. He will continue to motivate countless upcoming athletes to pursue their dreams and make our nation proud,” he posted on X.