Paris Olympics: Neeraj Wins Silver as Arshad Nadeem Sets Olympic Record
In a highly anticipated showdown at the Paris Olympics, India’s Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, was edged out by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Olympic record to claim the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw final. Chopra, who entered the final as the favorite, had to settle for silver after Nadeem delivered a stunning performance, solidifying his place in Olympic history.
Chopra, who made headlines in Tokyo with a gold medal-winning throw of 87.58 meters, showed his class once again in Paris, launching the javelin to a distance of 89.45 meters his second-best effort ever. This throw marked a clear improvement from his Tokyo performance, where he became the first Indian to win an Olympic gold in athletics. However, despite this impressive feat, it was not enough to surpass Nadeem, who delivered a monster throw of 92.97 meters, breaking the previous Olympic record set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen in 2008.
Nadeem’s record-breaking throw catapulted him to the top of the standings early in the competition, and he maintained his lead with a series of strong performances, including throws of 88.72 meters, 79.40 meters, 84.87 meters, and another remarkable throw of 91.79 meters. This made him the first athlete in Olympic history to surpass the 90-meter mark twice in the same event. His achievement not only earned him the gold medal but also made him Pakistan’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, ending a 32-year medal drought for the nation.
For Nadeem, this victory was particularly sweet given his journey to the top. After finishing fourth in Tokyo, he faced a series of challenges, including injuries and financial difficulties. However, his determination and hard work paid off in Paris, where he delivered one of the greatest performances in Olympic javelin history. Nadeem’s throw of 92.97 meters now ranks as the sixth-best throw of all time, further cementing his legacy in the sport.
Neeraj Chopra’s journey in the Paris Olympics was marked by a mix of highs and lows. He started the final with a foul on his first attempt, which added pressure on the Indian star. Nadeem, too, fouled his first throw, while Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott initially took the lead with a throw of 86.16 meters. Anderson Peters of Grenada followed closely with a throw of 84.70 meters. Chopra, however, bounced back on his second attempt with his 89.45-meter throw, which briefly put him in contention for the gold. Unfortunately, he struggled to maintain his form, recording three fouls in his next four attempts, and eventually finished with the silver medal.
Chopra’s silver in Paris adds to his growing list of accolades, making him the second male Indian and third overall to win medals in consecutive Olympic Games. He joins the ranks of wrestler Sushil Kumar, who won bronze and silver in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, and badminton star P.V. Sindhu, who earned silver in 2016 and bronze in Tokyo. Chopra’s silver also marks India’s fifth medal in the Paris Olympics, adding to the country’s tally of one silver and four bronze medals.
Despite the silver medal, there was a sense of disappointment among fans and commentators, as the expectations for Chopra were sky-high. However, his achievement in Paris is remarkable, especially considering the stiff competition in the javelin event. The event was so competitive that Tokyo silver medalist Julian Weber of Germany finished in sixth place, highlighting the extraordinary level of performance required to win a medal.
Nadeem’s victory not only brought glory to Pakistan but also highlighted the potential of athletes from the subcontinent in the global arena. His gold medal is Pakistan’s first in an individual event at the Olympics, and only the fourth overall, with the previous three all coming in hockey. The last time Pakistan won an Olympic medal was in 1992, when the men’s hockey team secured bronze in Barcelona.
