Neeraj Chopra Clarifies Bond With Arshad Nadeem Amid India-Pakistan Tensions: 'First Of All...'

Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem are among the finest javelin throwers globally. Both athletes have claimed Olympic golds-Chopra in Tokyo 2021 and Nadeem in Paris 2024-and their on-field rivalry is keenly watched around the world.

Ahead of the Diamond League meet in Doha, Chopra, a double Olympic medallist and reigning world champion, addressed speculation about his relationship with Nadeem, especially in light of recent border tensions following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India.

Photo Credit: PTI

During a press interaction on Thursday, Chopra was asked: "You both (he and Arshad) are close friends on and off the field, you have shown athletes can bring the world together. Will the recent happenings affect your relationship?"

Chopra responded: "First of all, I really want to clarify that I don't have a very strong relationship (with him). I mean, we do speak... I have good friends in the athletics community all over the world. But if someone speaks to me respectfully, I always return the same respect. It's good that all javelin throwers are cordial... it's a small community. Everyone competes for their own country, and everyone wants to give their best."

"Because of this (border tensions), I don't think things will be like before. But if someone shows me respect, I will do the same," he added.

Chopra, who won silver at the 2024 Paris Games, had earlier expressed distress after facing online abuse targeting his and his family's integrity when Arshad Nadeem was invited to participate in the NC Classic, an event held in Chopra's honour.

He clarified that the invitations had been sent out before the April 22 attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians and tourists, reportedly by Pakistan-based militants.

As Chopra prepares to compete in Doha, he will be cheered on by a strong contingent of Indian expatriates.

He faces tough competition, including double world champion and 2024 Olympic bronze medallist Anderson Peters (Grenada), 2024 Doha winner Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia), Germans Julian Weber and Max Dehning, Kenya's Julius Yego, and Japan's Roderick Genki Dean.

Notably absent is Nadeem, who won Olympic gold in Paris.

Chopra's fellow Indian, Kishore Jena-Asian Games silver medallist-will also compete, though he has struggled with form recently. Jena, whose personal best stands at 87.54m, finished ninth in Doha last year with a throw of 76.31m.

In 2024, Vadlejch won in Doha with 88.38m, Chopra was a close second at 88.36m, and Peters came third with 86.62m.

Chopra, who first competed in the Doha Diamond League in 2018 and placed fourth with 87.43m, remains a consistent force on the global javelin stage.

(With PTI inputs)