Paris: In a dramatic showdown at the Paris Olympics, Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden boy from the Tokyo Olympics, clinched the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw, while Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem stunned the world with a record-breaking throw, securing the gold.
A Historic Battle in Paris
Neeraj Chopra, 26, who captured the world’s attention with his gold medal in Tokyo with a throw of 87.58 meters, faced intense competition in Paris. Despite a challenging series of throws, Chopra’s second attempt, measuring 89.45 meters, secured his silver medal. This was his only valid throw, as his other five attempts were fouls, contrasting his flawless performance in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan delivered a performance for the ages. His second throw of 92.97 meters not only earned him the gold medal but also set a new Olympic record, breaking the previous mark of 90.57 meters held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nadeem’s dominance was further highlighted by his final throw of 91.79 meters, underscoring his extraordinary consistency.
Pakistan’s Olympic Glory after Three Decades
This victory marks Pakistan’s first Olympic medal since the 1992 Barcelona Games, making it a historic moment for the nation. Nadeem’s triumph also broke a long-standing trend, as Neeraj Chopra had previously defeated him in all ten of their past encounters.
Global Leaders Applaud Neeraj Chopra’s Achievement
In India, Neeraj Chopra’s silver medal was met with widespread admiration and pride. Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the athlete’s relentless pursuit of excellence, stating, “Neeraj Chopra is a living example of excellence! He has shown his talent time and again. India is happy that he has once again succeeded in the Olympics. Congratulations to him on winning the silver medal. He will continue to inspire countless upcoming athletes to fulfill their dreams and make our country proud.”
President Draupadi Murmu echoed the sentiments, congratulating Chopra for his historic feat of winning both gold and silver medals in consecutive Olympic Games. “Hearty congratulations to Neeraj Chopra on winning the silver medal at the Paris Olympics and creating history. He is the first Indian athlete to win gold and silver medals in two consecutive Olympic Games. India is proud of him. His achievement will inspire generations to come. India hopes that Neeraj Chopra will bring more medals and glory in the future,” she said.
A Close Finish for Bronze
The bronze medal went to Anderson Peters of Grenada, who, despite a valiant effort, could not match the incredible throws of Chopra and Nadeem.
As the dust settles on this thrilling event, Neeraj Chopra’s legacy as one of India’s greatest athletes continues to grow, while Arshad Nadeem’s name is now etched in Olympic history with his record-breaking performance.
