ISLAMABAD: A leading Indian athlete, Neeraj Chopra, congratulated his Pakistani rival and friend, Arshad Nadeem, after the latter shared the video of his record-breaking, 90-meter javelin throw at the Commonwealth Game on Instagram that helped him earn a gold for his country.
The two sportsmen first met in 2016 as teenagers when Nadeem visited India to participate in an international competition. Ever since, they have competed with each other in several international contests, including the Olympic Games held last year where Chopra secured the top position for his country.
Nadeem made history in the early hours of Monday while participating in the Men’s Javelin Throw Final, setting the new record at the games and snatching the title in a fifth-round throw of 90.18 meters.
His performance not only made him the first Pakistani, but also the only South Asian, to breach the 90-meter barrier in the sport.
“Congratulations Arshad bhai [brother] for gold medal and crossing 90mtr with new games record,” Chopra said while commenting on Nadeem’s social media post.
The Indian athlete, who could not represent his country at the Commonwealth Games due to a groin injury, also wished him luck for future competitions.
Asked about Chopra’s absence from the competition, Nadeem said he “missed” him at the games.
“May God grant him good health,” he added. “It would have been more fun if he were here.”