Pakistan’s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem has broken his silence on Indian star Neeraj Chopra’s recent comments about their camaraderie, stating that he prefers not to speak due to the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. His statement comes ahead of the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled to begin May 27 in Gumi, South Korea.
Arshad addressed the media in Lahore on May 22, where he was asked about Neeraj Chopra's clarification that the two athletes were "never really close friends." In response, Arshad said, “I don’t want to make any comments about Neeraj because of the ongoing conflict with India.” He further added, “I come from a village, and I will only say that my family and I will always stand with our army.”
The once-celebrated sportsmanship between Neeraj and Arshad has taken a backseat following rising geopolitical tensions. Their rivalry, which had become symbolic of sports diplomacy since the 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, appeared to sour after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists.
Before the attack, Neeraj had invited Arshad and other elite international athletes to the Neeraj Chopra Classic a prestigious World Athletics-approved event planned in Bengaluru. However, the event was postponed, and Neeraj later acknowledged that his relationship with Arshad would not remain the same in light of national sentiments.
In an interview earlier this month, Neeraj emphasized that while he respects Arshad as a fellow competitor, they were never close friends. He added that he remains open to supporting any athlete who is respectful and professional, regardless of nationality.
Despite the political backdrop, Arshad remains focused on his athletic goals. The Pakistani star made it clear that his ultimate ambition is to achieve a 100-metre javelin throw a feat no athlete in history has accomplished. “I always compete with myself, and my ambition is to hit the 100m mark one day,” Arshad stated during the press conference. He declined to comment further on Neeraj’s recent performance or rivalry, simply stating, “It’s good for him.”
Arshad opted out of the recent Doha Diamond League, where Neeraj Chopra finally joined the 90-metre club with a throw of 90.23 metres, placing second behind Germany’s Julian Weber. Neeraj became only the 25th athlete in the history of men’s javelin to cross the coveted 90m threshold a milestone Arshad had already surpassed at the Paris Olympics with a record-breaking 92.97-metre throw that earned him gold.
With the Asian Athletics Championships just around the corner, Arshad is expected to open his 2025 season on a strong note. As both athletes continue to push boundaries in the world of javelin, fans await the next chapter of this complex and evolving sports rivalry one that is now as much about personal excellence as it is shaped by cross-border politics.
