KARACHI: Pakistani Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem this week declined Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra’s invitation to participate in the Bengaluru Classic Throwing Championship due to prior commitments.
The Bengaluru Classic Throwing Championship, also known as the Neeraj Chopra Classic, is an international javelin event set to be held on May 24 as part of the World Athletics Gold Label series to promote elite competition in India.
Nadeem, 28, cited participation at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships scheduled from May 27-31 in Gumi, South Korea, as the reason for skipping the Indian event.
“Yes, I am not going,” he told Arab News in a text message. “Because I am going to the Asian Championships.”
According to the official Olympics website, Nadeem said Chopra’s event was scheduled for May 24 while he had to leave for South Korea on May 22.
“I have been training hard for the Asian Championship,” it quoted him as saying. “I am grateful to Chopra for inviting me to the event.”
Nadeem made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by winning Pakistan’s first-ever athletics gold with a record-breaking javelin throw of 92.97 meters. His throw not only set a new Olympic and Asian record but also ended Pakistan’s 32-year Olympic medal drought.
He has since become a national hero, inspiring millions with his journey from humble beginnings in smalltown Mian Channu to the top of the Olympic podium.
