Neeraj Chopra on friendship with Arshad Nadeem after IND-PAK conflict: ‘We were never really close friends, but if…’

Javelin ace Neeraj Chopra clarified that he was never close friends with Pakistan's Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, and said things will not be the same after the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Both Neeraj and Nadeem have long been the face of their respective countries in the sport of javelin.

While Neeraj put India on the global javelin map with a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Nadeem achieved the same feat four years later in Paris. Neeraj took silver behind Nadeem at Paris Olympics. Neeraj enjoys a 9-1 head-to-head record against Arshad Nadeem in men's javelin internationally.

Speaking about their friendship ahead of the Doha Diamond League on May 16, Neeraj cleared the air between him and Nadeem. 

"First, we were never really close friends or something. And things won't be the same after this (referring to the recent Indo-Pak tensions) but if someone talks to me respectfully I reciprocate the respect," Neeraj told reporters.

Having competed alongside Nadeem since 2016 together at international events, Neeraj had invited his Pakistani counterpart to the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, a first-of-its-kind javelin competition scheduled for May 24 in Bengaluru.

Although Nadeem declined the invitation, Neeraj drew social media criticism, with many pointing out the timing of the inview amid heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. 

However, the Neeraj Chopra Classic was postponed indefinitely, after the rising tensions between India and Pakistan accross the border. 

“The decision has been made after careful thought and consultation, with the well-being of athletes, stakeholders, and the broader community as the top priority,” the organisers said in a statement.

Neeraj Chopra at Doha Diamond League

Having started his season with a top-of-the-podium finish at the Potch Invitational in South Africa, Neeraj will once again aim to stamp his authority at the Doha Diamond League on Friday. He will have the likes of Julian Weber, Jakub Vadlejch, Anderson Peters, Julius Yego as his rivals in the men's javelin event.