‘She’s My Mother Too’: Olympic Champion Arshad Nadeem’s Heartwarming Reply to Neeraj

Arch-rivals? Well, more like brothers. Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem’s epic battle in the Paris Olympics has brought out a whole new side to the usually tense rivalry that exists between the two countries.

The world came to a standstill as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem ousted the world champion Neeraj Chopra at the Javelin Throw final at the Paris Olympics, with a record-breaking attempt.

Upon the results of the event, Chopra’s mother Saroj Devi expressed her joy with her own son for clinching the Silver and extended the same joy towards Nadeem’s historic achievement as well.

“We are very happy. For us, silver is also equal to gold. The one (Nadeem) who got the gold is also like our son. He was injured, so we are happy with his performance. I will cook his favourite food,” Saroj told news agency ANI.

And now, the ‘son’ Nadeem has reciprocated the same love for the Indian athlete’s mother, stating that he was grateful for her support.

“A mother is a mother for everyone, so she prays for everyone too. I’m grateful to Neeraj Chopra’s mother. Woh bhi meri maa hai (She’s my mother too). She prayed for us, and we were just two players from South Asia who performed on the world stage,” Nadeem stated to Pakistan media after returning back home from Paris.

The humble Pakistani took the entire competition by storm with his second throw, which would clear 92.97m to set a new Olympic Record and take the lead position in dominant fashion.

Chopra wouldn’t take over the top spot , but would rather build on his own pace to register a strong 89.45m attempt, a new season-best for him, and take home the Silver.

It was also learnt that Pakistan will honour the ace athlete Nadeem with Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second highest award of the country, for his stupendous feat.

“Arshad Nadeem’s remarkable performance has made the nation proud on the global stage. His outstanding success in athletics is a source of pride for the country,” Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari stated in a letter he sent to the Cabinet Division.

The government also directed for a commemorative stamp titled ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (commitment to stability) to be issued on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day next week.

(with agency inputs)

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