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India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has opened up about the intense pressure he faced during the javelin throw final at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Despite his best efforts, Chopra was unable to secure his second consecutive Olympic gold medal, as Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem claimed the top spot with a record-breaking throw.Nadeem's astonishing 92.97m effort in his second attempt set an insurmountable target for the rest of the field, including Chopra. The Indian athlete, who seemed visibly under pressure, managed only one legitimate throw – the silver-winning 89.45m in the second round.In a recent interview, Chopra admitted that Nadeem's giant throw had a significant impact on his mindset. "The first throw has a huge impact on an athlete's mentality. My first throw was good, but I fouled it. I was having some issues with the new track and tried to adjust to avoid another foul, but I failed. The competition was tough," Chopra said."After that, Nadeem had a great throw, and my second throw was also good. But then, as we often say, it's important to balance passion with composure. That day, I think I lost my composure. I was too emotional and angry, and I wanted to do better. But somewhere along the way, I lost sight of the technical aspects," he added.While Chopra was unable to defend his Olympic gold in Paris, he became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win two successive Olympic medals. He had previously won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.Nadeem's record-breaking throw of 92.97m set a new benchmark in the sport of javelin throw. Chopra, who has consistently been one of the top performers in the world, will undoubtedly be determined to regain his Olympic title at the next Games.

Pakistan's javelin star Arshad Nadeem has revealed that he competed at the Paris Olympics 2024 with an injury, adding another layer to his remarkable gold medal triumph.Nadeem's 92.97m throw shattered the Olympic record and secured Pakistan's first gold medal at the Games since 1984. However, the victory came with a hidden struggle, as Nadeem disclosed during a visit to the Prime Minister's office in Islamabad."Just five minutes before I had to go to the call room, I felt a pain," Nadeem said. "I told my coach, and he said, 'kuch nahi hota, tu sher hai (there will be no issues, you are a lion).' I had actually picked up an injury while throwing on 21st July when we were training at Punjab Stadium."Despite the injury and the pressure of competing against reigning champion Neeraj Chopra of India, Nadeem maintained his composure. He credited his coach for keeping his morale high."During the first throw, I felt some pain and the doctor applied some medicine," Nadeem added. "I told him I didn't know if that would have any effect. The doctor also told me 'tum sher ho'. Both the doctor and coach told me the same words."Nadeem's injury revelation adds to the significance of his achievement. It underscores his determination and resilience, as well as the support he received from his team.The gold medal has been met with widespread celebration in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a grand reward of PKR 150 million to Nadeem, as well as a civil award. Chief Minister of the province of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, awarded Nadeem PKR 10 million, as well as a Honda Civic Car with a specially stylized number plate reading 'PAK 92.97'.Nadeem's triumph is a testament to the talent and dedication of Pakistani athletes. It is a moment of national pride and inspiration, and a reminder that even with adversity, anything is possible.

Neeraj Chopra, India's golden boy of javelin, narrowly missed out on the gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, settling for silver despite a season-best throw of 89.45m. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem stole the show with a mammoth 92.97m throw, breaking the Olympic record and leaving Chopra in his wake.Chopra's best effort came on his second attempt, but his subsequent four throws were all fouls. Experts believe that Chopra's eagerness to surpass Nadeem's record may have contributed to his fouls."When Nadeem threw 92.97 meters, there was pressure on Neeraj," said three-time Paralympic medalist Devendra Jhajharia. "He wanted to throw over 93 meters and put in extra effort, which resulted in four fouls."Despite the setback, Chopra remains a force to be reckoned with. He won gold at the Tokyo Olympics and is determined to complete a sensational hat-trick of medals at the 2028 Los Angeles Games."Neeraj is very passionate about javelin," added Jhajharia. "He is so focused and humble. I am sure he will make a hat-trick of Olympic medals in Los Angeles."Chopra's silver medal in Paris is a testament to his resilience and determination. He will undoubtedly be a contender for gold in Los Angeles, where he will aim to cement his legacy as one of the greatest javelin throwers of all time.

Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's Olympic javelin throw gold medalist, has called for the government to invest in modern facilities for women athletes. Nadeem, who returned home to a hero's welcome after winning Pakistan's first Olympic gold since 1984, has received numerous cash prizes, cars, and other gifts. However, he believes that the government should prioritize the development of sports infrastructure and education for women."We badly need facilities for our women and even men to acquire higher education in our area," Nadeem said on ARY News. "Nowadays, young athletes need to be given the best facilities."Nadeem, who appeared on the show with his wife Rashida, also spoke about the buffalo gifted to him by his father-in-law for winning the Olympic gold medal. "I was a bit surprised with the announcement," he said with a smile. "My father-in-law is a very rich person and has a lot of land. If only he had given me 4-5 acres of farm land instead of the buffalo."Rashida revealed that she knew about Nadeem's injury problems before the Olympics but kept it away from other family members. "When he went for the Games, I couldn't sleep for three days," she said. "I just kept on praying that he would remain fit and return with a gold medal."Nadeem's long-time coach, Salman Butt, said the ace javelin thrower will return to training in a month's time. "Arshad knows that he has to work harder to maintain his position," Butt said. "There is great competition in the javelin throw in the international field."Nadeem's victory has sparked a renewed interest in sports in Pakistan. He hopes that his success will inspire other young athletes, especially women, to pursue their dreams. "I want to see more women from Pakistan competing at the highest level," he said. "We have the talent, but we need the facilities and support to succeed."

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem's historic gold medal victory in the men's javelin throw at the Paris Olympics 2024 has sparked comparisons to the iconic Border-Gavaskar Trophy rivalry between India and Australia. Nadeem's record-breaking throw of 92.97m dethroned defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India, who settled for silver with a throw of 89.45m.Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has ignited the debate, claiming that the rivalry between Nadeem and Chopra has surpassed the magnitude of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Ali argues that the India-Pakistan rivalry transcends all other sporting contests, including the Ashes between England and Australia."The whole world knows that India vs Pakistan is on one side and everything else is on the other side. Even Ashes isn't that big," Ali said on his YouTube channel.Ali believes that the rivalry between Nadeem and Chopra will draw massive crowds regardless of the venue. "When Neeraj and Arshad compete in javelin, the whole world will be in front of the television, and the stadium will be full," he added.Nadeem's gold medal was Pakistan's first in 40 years since the men's team won it in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. The victory has ignited a sense of national pride in Pakistan and has further fueled the rivalry with India.While the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a bilateral cricket series, the rivalry between Nadeem and Chopra extends beyond the confines of a single sport. It represents the intense competition and national pride that exists between India and Pakistan.

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem's historic Olympic gold in the men's javelin final has sparked a wave of celebration and recognition. Among the unique gifts bestowed upon the 27-year-old was a buffalo from his father-in-law, a traditional honor in his hometown.Nadeem's close rival and friend, Neeraj Chopra, India's silver medalist in the same event, shared his experience of receiving similar gifts. "I was once gifted desi ghee," said Chopra. "In Haryana, we often receive gifts like 10kg or 50kg of desi ghee or ladoos."Chopra explained that these gifts symbolize strength and are common in regions where circle kabaddi and wrestling are popular. "Ghee is believed to enhance strength, which is crucial in our sports," he said. "Buffalos are also gifted, and wrestlers and kabaddi players may receive Bullet motorbikes or tractors."Nadeem's Olympic record throw of 92.97m left Chopra with the challenge of crossing the 90m mark to defend his title. Despite a groin injury, Chopra managed a season-best throw of 89.45m, just short of his goal."I had no doubt I could better Arshad's throw," said Chopra. "Improving by 3-4m is not significant in javelin. However, my body couldn't keep up with my mental readiness."Chopra acknowledged that his legwork on the runway was subpar, affecting his overall performance. "I tried to compensate with effort, but it's ineffective without proper technique," he said. "I've managed my injury, and it hasn't worsened."Nadeem's victory and the unique gifts he received have highlighted the cultural significance of sports in Pakistan and India. The camaraderie between Nadeem and Chopra showcases the spirit of sportsmanship and the shared passion for excellence in javelin.

Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem: A Tale of Sportsmanship and Mutual RespectIndia's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem are fierce competitors on the javelin field, but off the ground, they share an unbreakable bond. Their mutual respect and admiration transcend the outcome of any competition.In the recently concluded Paris Olympics 2024, Arshad claimed the gold medal in the javelin throw event, while Neeraj secured the silver. Despite the rivalry, their camaraderie was evident in a post-medal ceremony interview.When asked who he would cast as Arshad in a biopic, Neeraj suggested Amitabh Bachchan, citing his height and stature. Arshad, in turn, proposed Shah Rukh Khan for Neeraj's biopic.Neeraj's silver medal performance in Paris was a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite falling short of retaining his gold, he acknowledged his physical limitations and vowed to improve."Mentally I was ready, but physically, I was retraining myself. My legwork on the runway was not how it should have been," Neeraj said.He also announced his participation in the Lausanne Diamond League, scheduled to begin on August 22.The bond between Neeraj and Arshad is a beacon of sportsmanship and camaraderie. It demonstrates that even in the face of intense competition, respect and friendship can prevail.

Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's celebrated javelin thrower, has become a national icon after his historic gold medal victory at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. His record-breaking throw of 92.97m ended Pakistan's long wait for an Olympic gold medal.Upon his return to Pakistan, Nadeem has been showered with accolades and rewards. The Punjab government recently honored him with a cash prize of 10 million Pakistani rupees and a brand-new car. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz personally visited Nadeem's village to present him with the awards."Arshad deserves everything he gets because he has brought so much joy and pride to the nation," Nawaz said.However, the celebrations have been marred by controversy. Former hockey player Rao Saleem Nazim alleged that the Pakistan government withdrew invitations to several Olympians for the gala dinner hosted in Nadeem's honor.Nazim, who heads the former Pakistan hockey players forum, claimed that the PM House had initially sent invitations to hockey stalwarts but later withdrew them due to guest management issues."Is this how you show respect to players who have brought not one but several Olympic medals in hockey for the country?" Nazim questioned.Pakistan's last Olympic gold medal came in 1983 in hockey, and the last time the country won any medal in the Summer Games was also through hockey in 1992. The Pakistan hockey team has not qualified for the last three Olympic Games.Despite the controversy, Nadeem's achievement has brought immense joy and pride to Pakistan. His victory has inspired a new generation of athletes and has reignited the nation's passion for sports.

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, fell short of retaining his gold medal at the recently concluded Paris Olympics, settling for silver with a best throw of 89.45 meters. In a virtual press briefing, Chopra expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that he lacked the physical sharpness to push himself to his limits."Mentally, I was ready, but physically, I was retraining myself," Chopra said. "My legwork on the runway was not how it should have been. My efforts were going in vain."Chopra's silver medal came behind Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters. Grenada's Anderson Peters secured bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters.Chopra's performance was particularly disappointing given his previous dominance over Nadeem, whom he had defeated in all nine of their previous head-to-head matchups. However, Nadeem's throw of 90.18 meters at the 2022 Commonwealth Games had surpassed Chopra's top effort.Chopra admitted that the last two to three years have been challenging for him in terms of fitness. "I am always injured," he said. "I really tried hard, but I have to work on my injury (staying injury-free) and technique."Despite the setback, Chopra remains determined to improve and regain his status as the world's top javelin thrower. He has already announced his participation in the Lausanne Diamond League, which begins on August 22.Chopra's silver medal is a reminder that even the greatest athletes can face setbacks. However, his determination to overcome adversity and return to the top is a testament to his resilience and unwavering spirit.