"Greatest competition in history": Chopra opens up rivalry with Nadeem

Updated On: 10 August, 2024 01:14 AM IST | Sujay Shivalkar

Here is the summarization of India`s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan`s Arshad Nadeem`s press conference after the finals of the Paris Olympics 2024 (Pic: File Pic)

1/9

Here is the summarization of India`s Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan`s Arshad Nadeem`s press conference after the finals of the Paris Olympics 2024 (Pic: File Pic)

2/9

Neeraj Chopra`s reason behind consecutive podium finishes

"Hard work! Whatever I have is because of hard work. But still, I have to increase my consistency and throw. I have to stay fit and also need to stay away from injuries, because many times it has happened that initially, everything goes good, but once the competition arrives, I need to back out due to injuries. It can be done, I have much left in me and today it was a healthy competition. So congratulations Arshad and Anderson. The greatest competition in history"

3/9

Arshad Nadeem opens up on his technique

"First of all, I`m very lucky that the whole of Pakistan prayed for me. Now like you mentioned the difference between Diamond League and now. Before Diamond League, I underwent a right knee surgery which was successful. From there on, I was hopeful of performing well in the Paris Olympics. The performance at the Commonwealth Games also made me hopeful that I will bring my best in the Paris Olympics final"

4/9

Do injuries force Neeraj Chopra to change his technique?

"Yes, my technique is not the same. Every year something happens wrong. In the end, just because my arm is fast, I release it with good power, that`s why the javelin reaches the distance. Now my speed has slowed down, back in 2018, I was very fast with the runway and I always believed in myself, that I could throw today. But now it`s hard to stay fit and throw that far. These groin injuries are very bad for javelin athletes"

5/9

Arshad Nadeem opens up on India-Pakistan sporting rivalries

"Whenever there is an India-Pakistan cricket match, both countrymen sit and watch the match. Similarly, whenever there`s a competition between me and Neeraj Chopra, they do the same. The one who works hard, the god will favour him. I and Neeraj Chopra are South-Asian players and I hope we perform well across the globe. This is inspiring for India and Pakistan`s youth to work hard and help their respective countries establish their name on the global stage"

6/9

Neeraj Chopra opens up on India-Pakistan sporting rivalries

"First of all, it`s really good for our countries. Earlier, javelin was not that popular in India and Pakistan. Even in Grenada, Anderson has done really well for his country. I and Arshad have been competing since 2016 and god has always been with me, I always won. But today, on a really great stage, Arshad won and it`s good for him and his country. I really appreciate him for his hard work. Now in India, more athletes will come and pick javelin"

7/9

Neeraj Chopra on the pressure of winning a medal

"This was the first time I was a defending champion on the very big stage. Earlier, I was a defending champion in the Asian Games but you cannot compare it with the Olympics. Because of my groin injury, I was not that happy. But when Arshad threw his 92.97, I don`t know but in the second throw, I believed in myself that I can do it. But still, I`m happy that I won a medal for my country"

8/9

Chopra on foul attempts in the finals of the Paris Olympics 2024

"In the qualification round, we don`t think like final. In the qualification round, all athletes were easy and relaxed, but in finals, we know it`s the main day. Today, I tried to keep my mind the same but it`s hard. I tried to go fast on the runway, but it didn`t happen. I tried throwing it much harder and that`s the reason behind it"

9/9

Nadeem opens up on his journey

"Talking about my journey, like Neeraj mentioned it all started from village level sports. I was really good at cricket (as a bowler), football, kabaddi and badminton. Later, I stopped playing all these sports and started training for athletics at school level. I trained in shotput and many sports. I was the best athlete in Pakistan so my coach suggested me to start training for javelin saying that I have a nice physique. Even then, I wanted to pursue my career in cricket, but it was difficult to secure a place in the team. My elder brother suggested me to continue in athletics, so this is how I entered javelin"

Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach

A photographer holds up the lights during a photo session by the Madh Island seashore. PIC/NIMESH DAVE

Home / Sports / Other Sports / Photos / "Greatest competition in history": Chopra opens up rivalry with Nadeem

"Greatest competition in history": Chopra opens up rivalry with Nadeem

Tags

Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach