India’s javelin star Neeraj Chopra distances himself from Pakistan rival Arshad; says things won’t be the same between them after recent India-Pakistan conflict
Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem
Seeking to set the record straight, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Thursday clarified that he and Arshad Nadeem were never really close friends and said ‘things won’t be the same’ after the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
In the aftermath of last month’s Pahalgam terror attack, the decorated athlete and his family were bombarded with abuse on social media for inviting Pakistan’s Nadeem to the now-postponed NC Classic in Bengaluru.
On the eve of the Diamond League here, the two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion put things in perspective when asked about his off-field equation with Nadeem.
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“First, I would like to clarify that I don’t have a very strong relationship [with Nadeem], we were never really close friends or something. But, because of this [tensions at the India-Pakistan border], it will not be like before. But if someone talks to me respectfully I reciprocate the respect,” Chopra told reporters at a press conference.
India’s Neeraj Chopra (left) with Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem at the 2023 World C’ship in Hungary. Pic/AP; PTI
New season begins
Chopra will begin his Diamond League campaign here on Friday against a familiar field of rivals, eyeing a perfect start to the season in which he would be defending his world championship crown later this year.
At a venue where he will have sizeable crowd support thanks to expatriate Indians, Chopra will face two-time world champion and 2024 Olympics bronze-winner Anderson Peters of Grenada, Jakub Vadlejch of Czechia, the German duo of Julian Weber and Max Dehning, Kenya’s Julius Yego, Roderick Genki Dean of Japan, and Chopra’s compatriot Kishore Jena. Nadeem, however, won’t be participating at the event.
‘Grateful to fans in Qatar’
“I’m always overwhelmed by the support I get from the Indian people in Qatar — there aren’t enough words to thank them,” said Chopra.]
When quizzed about his chances of breaching the 90-metre mark, Chopra said, “With good conditions and a great atmosphere that’s definitely possible, but I pride myself on my consistency. For me, that’s more important than just chasing a number.”
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