Neeraj Chopra’s mother praises Arshad Nadeem for winning gold medal

Indian Olympian Neeraj Chopra’s mother, Saroj Devi, expressed pride in her son’s efforts at the Olympics and praised Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem for winning a historic gold medal.

“I am happy with the silver. The boy who won gold, Arshad Nadeem, is like my own child. Everyone works very hard to reach this level,” she said when asked about her thoughts on the upcoming Paris Games.

Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem claimed the gold medal in the javelin throw event at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday. His record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters earned Pakistan its first Olympic gold in 40 years and broke the previous Olympic record of 90.57 meters, set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Nadeem was visibly emotional after his final throw, that also surpassed 90 meters. Although his initial throw of 92.97 meters had already secured the gold medal, his last attempt solidified his victory.

When asked if she was disappointed by her son’s multiple fouls, Saroj Devi responded, “No issues.” She added that the family was proud of Neeraj’s performance, and for them, the silver medal was as valuable as gold.

Meanwhile, in a historic achievement for Pakistan, javelin ace Arshad Nadeem has clinched the gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, ending a 40-year wait for an Olympic gold for the country.

This remarkable feat not only brought home the first-ever individual gold medal for Pakistan but also marked the country’s return to Olympic glory after a three-decade hiatus.

Arshad Nadeem’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary. In the final of the men’s javelin throw, he delivered a stunning throw of 92.97 meters during his second attempt, surpassing the previous Olympic record set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, who had thrown 91.59 meters at the 2008 Beijing Games.

Nadeem’s throw not only secured him the gold medal but also etched his name in the annals of Olympic history with a new world record.

This victory is monumental for Pakistan, as it is the nation’s first-ever gold medal in individual athletics and the first gold medal in any Olympic discipline in the past 40 years.

The last time Pakistan won an Olympic medal was in 1992, when the national hockey team brought home a bronze by defeating the Netherlands 4-3 at the Barcelona Olympics.

The long-awaited success in 2024 has rejuvenated the national spirit and pride in the country’s sports achievements.

In the same event, India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending gold medalist, secured the silver medal with a throw of 89.45 meters.

Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed the bronze with a throw of 88.54 meters. Despite a strong performance from these athletes, Nadeem’s exceptional throw set him apart, showcasing his dominance and skill in javelin throwing.

It is noteworthy that Pakistan’s journey to this Olympic success was marred by challenges, as six of the seven athletes sent to the Games faced disqualification from their respective events.