Neeraj Chopra Wins Silver in the Men’s Javelin Final

India’s golden boy, Neeraj Chopra, added another feather to his cap by clinching a silver medal at the Olympic Games. The javelin thrower, who created history by winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics, showcased his exceptional talent once again on the grandest stage of them all. However, the Paris Olympics 2024 witnessed a historic moment in athletics as the javelin throw event unfolded with unexpected drama. Neeraj Chopra of India, the reigning champion, secured a silver medal, while Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan etched his name in history by clinching the gold and shattering the Olympic record.

With the weight of a nation’s expectations on his shoulders, Chopra made impressive throws that demonstrated his enduring talent. But Nadeem gave a performance that was truly remarkable. His last throw, which was so enormous that it broke the previous world record, stunned the stadium and left everyone in shock.

Neeraj Chopra Secures Silver, While Nadeem Breaks the Olympic Record to Win Gold

On Thursday night at the Stade de France, Neeraj Chopra achieved the second-best throw of his career at 89.45 metres in Paris. He surpassed his Tokyo Olympic gold-winning throw by 1.87 metres. However, this feat fell short as Arshad Nadeem inscribed his name in history for Pakistan with an Olympic record throw of 92.97 meters, surpassing 90 metres once more with his final attempt to clinch gold.

Arshad Nadeem, the son of a construction worker, emerges as the first Pakistani to secure an individual Olympic gold, while Neeraj joins PV Sindhu and Sushil Kumar as the third Indian to earn individual Olympic medals across two separate Games.

Neeraj Chopra secured an Olympic silver for his illustrious trophy cabinet with his sole legal attempt among six throws, marking India’s inaugural silver medal at the Paris Olympics despite a lacklustre competition day, and positioning him as the fifth Indian athlete to win multiple Olympic medals.
“It was probably the day for a 90m throw. It was needed as well. I haven’t thought about it (90m throw) that much. But, it is coming to my mind now. I gave it my all,” Neeraj Chopra told India Today.
‘Arshad Nadeem also our child’: Neeraj Chopra’s Mother Wins Hearts

In a moment that transcended borders and rivalry, Saroj Devi, Neeraj Chopra’s mother, won over admirers on both sides of the border with her touching words about Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who defeated her son to win the gold medal in the men’s javelin final at the Olympics. Despite Neeraj’s silver medal, she expressed profound warmth and pride for Arshad Nadeem.

The Nation Comes Together to Congratulate Neeraj Chopra

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, congratulated Chopra, tweeting, “Neeraj Chopra is excellence personified! Time and again he’s shown his brilliance. India is elated that he comes back with yet another Olympic success. Congratulations to him on winning the Silver. He will continue to motivate countless upcoming athletes to pursue their dreams and make our nation proud.”

Added to that, Mohammad Shami, one of the best Indian seam bowlers, tweeted, “Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for clinching the silver medal at the Olympics. Your perseverance and passion continue to inspire the nation. You’ve shown once again that there are no limits to achieving dreams through hard work and dedication.”

Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir, too, lauded Neeraj Chopra for winning silver at the Paris Olympics. “The icon never returns without bringing joy to every Indian,” Gautam Gambhir wrote on X.

Wrapping Up

India is immensely proud of Neeraj Chopra’s accomplishments. His journey from a budding talent to an Olympic medallist is an inspiration to millions. However, today, the spotlight also shines brightly on Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, whose record-breaking performance has etched his name in Olympic history. As the dust settles on this exhilarating final, the world of athletics resonates with admiration for both competitors. Their performances have redefined the sport’s standards, and their rivalry promises to be a captivating chapter in its history.