Historical past-making Pakistan javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is sort of happy that his rivalry with Indian famous person Neeraj Chopra is getting as a lot consideration because the cricketing battle between the 2 neighbors as he believes it is going to gas the sporting ambitions of kids from each international locations. Nadeem bested Chopra for the primary time of their 11 face-off to assert the Olympic gold medal with a sensational Video games document of 92.97m on Thursday night time. Chopra gained silver with a season’s finest effort of 89.45m, including one other chapter to their storied rivalry.
“There’s undoubtedly rivalry in cricket matches and different sports activities. However on the identical time, it is a good factor for the youth of each the international locations who observe a sport and observe us and observe their sports activities icon and convey fame to their nation,” 27-year-old Nadeem mentioned. advised reporters after changing into the primary Pakistani to win a person Olympic gold medal.
He’s Pakistan’s first particular person medalist because the 1988 Seoul Olympics the place boxer Hussain Shah claimed the middleweight bronze.
Nadeem and Chopra, regardless of being fierce rivals on the sphere, are good associates off it. Just a few months in the past, when Nadeem made a social media enchantment for funds to purchase a top quality Javelin, Chopra was amongst those that got here ahead to lend their assist.
The over six-foot-tall Nadeem was the darkish horse in Thursday night time’s remaining the place Chopra entered as the highest qualifier.
However the Pakistani, who gained 2022 Commonwealth Video games gold with an try over 90m, shocked a high-quality subject with two throws measuring over 90m, one among them a brand new Olympic document, beforehand held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen. Cleared 90.57m on the 2008 Beijing Video games.
“I’m grateful to the nation. Everybody has prayed for me, and I’m hopeful of doing effectively. Through the years, I’ve had and recovered from knee accidents, and labored onerous on my health. Even I used to be assured of clearing 92.97m, However that throw was sufficient for me to win the gold,” Nadeem mentioned about his efficiency.
“I’ll proceed to work onerous and provides my finest within the days and months forward. I plan to surpass this mark as effectively.”
Nadeem additionally gave a peak into his early life and revealed that he began out as a cricketer, earlier than making an attempt his hand at desk tennis however finally took to the javelin throw after being advised he was made for it.
“I used to be a cricketer, I used to play desk tennis, and I additionally took half in athletics occasions. However my coach advised me that I had an excellent physique for throwing javelin and I targeted solely on javelin since 2016,” he mentioned.
“Folks suppose my approach is that of a quick bowler moderately than a javelin thrower, however I’m joyful utilizing this motion and run-up. It’s due to my major energy as a cricket bowler,” he quipped.
A resident of Khanewal village within the Punjab area, Nadeem’s coaching was initially supported by his village and he mentioned that assist has helped him keep grounded as he tackles new milestones for his nation.
“I come from an agricultural village, and each time I win a medal, I take into consideration my origins and it motivates me to do higher. That is why I keep humble and that is why I wish to be extra profitable.
“I needed to undergo a really powerful time to get thus far,” he admitted.
