That day belonged to Arshad Nadeem: Neeraj Chopra on Paris Olympics javelin remaining

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is seen with Paris Olympics gold medalist Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem
| Picture Credit score: PTI

Star Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra says nothing went incorrect in his silver-winning efficiency within the Paris Olympics remaining earlier this 12 months and Pakistani Arshad Nadeem emerged champion because the “day belonged to him”.

Chopra grew to become the primary Indian track-and-field athlete to win two successive Olympic medals by clinching a silver with a throw of 89.45m on August 8, however the day belonged to Nadeem, who destroyed the sector with a brand new Olympic file effort of 92.97m for his nation’s maiden particular person gold on the showpiece.

“Nothing was incorrect, all the things was proper. The throw was additionally good. Getting a silver (medal) within the Olympics can be not a small factor. There was disappointment. However, I really feel that the competitors was superb, and it was powerful,” Chopra instructed PTI in an interview.

“The gold medal is gained by the individual to whom the day belongs to. That day was (Arshad) Nadeem’s day.” Chopra was in Lucknow on Saturday (October 19, 2024) to inaugurate Beneath Armour’s bigger, new format model home retailer on the Phoenix Palassio Mall.

He brushed apart any notion of India-Pakistan rivalry in javelin throw competitors changing the identical seen in cricket and hockey.

“In javelin, there are not any two groups (taking part in in opposition to one another), however there are 12 athletes from completely different nations, who’re competing with one another. I’ve been competing with Nadeem since 2016, and it’s for the primary time that he has gained,” mentioned the 26-year-old athlete from Khandra village in Haryana’s Panipat district.

“He (Nadeem) is a pleasant individual, speaks in an excellent method, offers respect, so (I) really feel good.” Chopra mentioned it was a sudden second when he picked up the javelin for the primary time in his life when he was boy.

“It (taking on javelin throw) was a sudden second. I didn’t know something about it. Once I went to the bottom, at the moment, it was determined,” mentioned Chopra, who had picked up the javelin for the primary time in 2011.

Requested what’s required probably the most by a javelin thrower — energy, stamina, psychological endurance –, he mentioned, “It’s the mixture of all these items, and one factor is not going to work. And, with all these items mixed, the one who can have the very best approach will carry out good.” Chopra, who had visited Lucknow earlier as nicely, mentioned, “I had come to Lucknow earlier in 2012 to play, and after Tokyo Olympics, after I was requested to come back by the Chief Minister. That is my third go to (to Lucknow).

“There may be a whole lot of distinction (between the sooner Lucknow and the present Lucknow). At the moment, I used to be fairly younger, and don’t keep in mind issues a lot.

“At the moment, I had come by prepare. Now, an excellent airport has been constructed. Good mall has been constructed. And, it’s for the primary time that I’m able to see the town a lot by travelling. I felt very good,” he mentioned.

Chopra additionally had tea at a well-known outlet (‘Sharma kee Chaai’) in Lucknow’s Lalbagh space, and took selfies with individuals.

Giving a chunk of recommendation to the youth, Chopra mentioned, “To the youth, I’d say that they need to not assume within the beginning itself that they’d be bagging medals. They need to train persistence, as a result of sports activities eat a whole lot of your time.

“Your physique wants time to develop, your muscular tissues develop into sturdy in an excellent method. Have persistence, and work in your strategies.”