EXCLUSIVE – Happy for Arshad but winning medal for India is best feeling, says Paris Games hero Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra won the silver medal in the javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics 2024, falling shy of defending his gold as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem finished first with an Olympic Record (OR) of 92.97m throw. Speaking to WION’s Digvijay Singh Deo exclusively in Paris, Neeraj opened up on his second Olympic final, what stopped him from winning gold this time, and how good Arshad was in his first legal attempt.

Neeraj and Arshad fouled their first attempts while settling scores in their second. Pakistan’s Arshad attained his personal best and an OR of 92.97m distance, whereas India’s own Chopra came close, recording his season-best throw of 89.45m. That, however, sealed the medal tally, at least for the first two spots.

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There wasn’t much to read in their remaining throws other than Arshad’s last throw, which also breached the 90m (for the second time in the Olympic Final), registering a 91.79m throw, something Neeraj is yet to unlock.

However, considering Neeraj had a groin injury to worry about, and three out of his six attempts got disqualified, his 89.45m throw is praiseworthy. Speaking his heart out in an exclusive chat with WION, Neeraj said,

“The competition was great. Arshad was well-prepared and executed a brilliant throw. Just when Arshad threw the 92.97m mark, although I hadn’t crossed the 90m till now, I had this strange belief that I could also throw this far. I enjoyed my throw.

“For some reason, I couldn’t feel my run the way I should. My mind was on my groin injury, thinking it shouldn’t hurt. Only my second throw was valid, but every other was a foul. 

“But winning the medal for my country was the best feeling,” Neeraj continued.

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'Happy for Arshad'

Knowing their camaraderie off the field, Neeraj sounded elated for Arshad, who ended Pakistan’s 32-year wait for an Olympic medal, becoming the first from the country since 1984 to win an Olympic gold. 

“We have been playing together since 2016, and by God’s grace, I was mostly falling on the winning side, but today (on Friday) wasn’t my day. God was on his side today,” Neeraj added. 

Meanwhile, Neeraj’s silver medal is India’s fifth at the ongoing Summer Games, with the remaining four, all bronze, coming in Shooting and men’s hockey, respectively. 

Shooter Manu Bhaker won two bronze in the women’s individual 10m air pistol and mixed team 10m air pistol. 

(With inputs from agencies)