VK Sanju
Neeraj Chopra stood tall in Olympic glory, clutching the gold at the Tokyo Games 2021. In a revealing interview after that, Neeraj recounted a curious tale—how Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, in a twist of fate, unknowingly took hold of his javelin during the final round. Despite the rivalry, Neeraj expressed a poignant wish after the match: how magnificent it would have been if they could have shared the podium, united in triumph.
It didn't take long for the tale to be twisted back home. Cyberspace soon buzzed with comments, accusing the Pakistani athlete of attempting to cheat his Indian counterpart. The narrative spiraled quickly, morphing into attacks on the entire Muslim community in India. But Neeraj, unwavering in his integrity, wasn't one to let things go astray. Standing firm by his friend from across the border, he declared that his words should not be distorted to serve anyone's vested interests.
In 2024, Neeraj's wish was fulfilled, though not exactly as he had imagined. At the Paris Olympics, he and Nadeem finally shared the podium. This time, it was Nadeem who claimed the gold, while Neeraj proudly accepted the silver. Yet, there was no trace of disappointment in his heart. After the win, Neeraj beamed with pride, knowing that India’s national anthem would once again resonate on the Olympic stage because of him. His mother, Saroj Devi, echoed this sentiment, saying, "The one who bagged the gold is also our child." Her words were a testament to the fact that Neeraj had been raised in a household free from the taint of religious hatred.
Arshad and Neeraj's friendship blossomed over years of sharing the international sporting stage, competing fiercely yet cherishing each other’s successes. They have faced off on numerous occasions, with Neeraj often emerging victorious—until now. For the first time in ten matchups, Neeraj found himself trailing behind his friend. While Neeraj’s dream of crossing the elusive 90-meter mark remains just out of reach, Arshad has effortlessly soared past that distance multiple times. Neeraj’s admiration for Nadeem only deepened as he witnessed his friend surpass the 90-meter mark not once, but twice during the final round of the Paris Olympics - a feat even Neeraj's best Olympic throw couldn’t match.
Neeraj’s friendship with Arshad is steeped in camaraderie and support, a bond that transcends borders. When Arshad struggled to replace a javelin that had seen seven to eight years of wear and tear, it was Neeraj who stepped in with an emotional fruitful appeal. It was Neeraj who ensured that the much-needed equipment reached him in Paris through an emotional and fruitful appeal. This act of kindness, spoken of by Arshad not long ago, is a testament to the enduring friendship between these two champions.
Among the seven-member Pakistan Olympic contingent, only Arshad Nadeem’s flight ticket was sponsored by the Pakistani government. The rest of the expenses, typically borne by friends and neighbours, are a testament to the support and goodwill that surround him, allowing him to compete on the international stage.
After dabbling in cricket, football, hockey, and kabaddi, Arshad Nadeem turned to javelin throw, honing his skills in the humble confines of his backyard. This shift was born of necessity, as Pakistan lacked adequate training centers for such a specialized sport. Moreover, Nadeem's family, grappling with the daily struggle to put food on the table, could scarcely dream of affording the luxury of formal training.
With a silver at the World Championships and gold at the Commonwealth Games, Arshad Nadeem's prowess began to capture the world's attention. A sport once dominated by European athletes now finds its stronghold in Asia, thanks to the exceptional talents of India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem. These two athletes have not only redefined the sport but have also forged an unbreakable bond that transcends borders. The podiums they share may see a shift in medals, but their timeless friendship will remain ever constant.
