Neeraj Chopra 9-0 Arshad Nadeem: The India vs Pakistan Rivalry Between Javelin Throw Stars

29.08.2023 - 06:15 sports.ndtv.com

With each passing global/continental athletics event, the rivalry between Indian Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Commonwealth Games champion Arshad Nadeem is becoming one of the most exciting match-ups in world athletics.

Rivalries between athletes/teams from two countries who are neighbours and a shared history, have always been one of the most intriguing aspects of various sports.

India versus Pakistan is no different. Be it in cricket, hockey or any other sports, this rivalry always has been in the limelight and dominated.

In the world of athletics, a notable India vs Pakistan duel was back in the 1960s between Indian track legend Milkha Singh and Pakistan's Abdul Khaliq.

cricket Sporting athletics hockey country India vs Pakistan rivalry Javelin Star Arshad Nadeem India Pakistan

India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra added another feather to his cap last week by claiming a World Athletics Championships gold medal at Budapest, Hungary. With it, he also became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the event. Neeraj's best throw in the javelin final was 88.17m. He had a foul throw to start with but then got 88.17m, 86.32m, 84.64m, 87.73m and 83.98m. In a recent interview to NDTV, Neeraj has revealed that the World Championships was "a big challenge" for him.

I Was Competing With Myself, Not With Neeraj Chopra: Arshad Nadeem

Pakistan's World Championships silver medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem does not consider Indian gold winner Neeraj Chopra as his main rival, saying he competes with himself. Nadeem on Sunday became the first athlete from Pakistan to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, while Olympic champion Chopra won the gold. Asked if Chopra was his main rival in the World Championships, Nadeem said, "No. I myself is the only competitor to Arshad Nadeem. I did not think I was competing to win against anybody." Chopra won gold with a throw of 88.17m while reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nadeem took the silver with his season's best throw of 87.82m.

Neeraj Chopra's Preparatory Camp In Switzerland Gets Ministry Approval

Reigning Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra's preparatory camp in Switzerland on Friday got the nod from the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC), which also announced other approvals. Chopra will undergo a 12-day training camp in Magglingen, Switzerland ahead of the Diamond League final to be organised in Eugene, USA, later this month. A total of INR 5.89 lakh have been sanctioned for the camp to be held from September 1-12, a release said. Chopra finished second in the Diamond League event in Zurich on Thursday after recording his best throw of 85.71m.

World Athletics Championships 2023 Was A "Big Challenge": Neeraj Chopra Tells NDTV

Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second In Zurich Diamond League With 85.71m Throw

Neeraj Chopra completed a brilliant recovery to finish second at the Zurich Diamond League men's javelin throw event on Friday. The reigning world champion started with a 80.79m throw before two false throws in his next two attempts put him in fifth position. However, in his fourth attempt, Neeraj came back strong with a 85.22m throw. Another false throw followed but with a 85.77m throw in his sixth and final attempt, he came agonisingly close to grabbing the top spot but he ended up narrowly missing out.

Neeraj Chopra Finishes Second In Zurich Diamond League With 85.71m Throw