There was elation amongst Neeraj Chopra’s mother Saroj Devi when she heard that her son has won a silver medal. She also expressed joy for Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, who outperformed Indian reigning champion in Paris by breaking the Olympic record and called him “my kid”.
Chopra threw his best distance of the season with 89.45 meters to claim silver at the Paris Games. While on Thursday night Nadeem achieved a winning throw of 92.97 meters, thus setting an Olympic record.
Chopra became only the third Indian and first athlete ever in track and field to win back-to-back individual Olympic medals with a silver.
“We are very happy with this silver because one winner is our child and one second loser is also our child…all athletes, all hard workers,” said Saroj in Khandra, Panipat, where their family is based during an interview with PTI Videos.
“Nadeem is good too he plays nicely there’s no difference between neeraj and nadeem we got gold nd sliver there is no difference for us”, she added in an interview given on Thursday night.
Chopra’s & Nadeem shares a relationship beyond sports as they are best friends.
“Churma” awaits Neeraj on homecoming.
Neeraj loves “desi khana,” so his family plans to welcome him home with “churma,” his favorite dish.
“He did very well. We will receive him by giving churma which is his favourite. I am happy about it people are burning crackers we’ve made ladoos,” Saroj said.
Considering that seven athletes had thrown further than 86m, Chopra’s result can be regarded as commendable amid fierce competition.
“We are very happy. He gave his season best performance. It was really tough because everybody was around 88-89m. It’s not about winning a gold or silver, but about winning a medal. And he gave his best,” said Chopra’s aunt Kamlesh.
Having won gold medals in every competition he has ever attended including the Olympics, World Championships, Diamond Leagues, Asian Games and Common Wealth games, Chopra is one of India’s most decorated athletes.
“After Tokyo there was no medal left except for silver that was also needed so he got it”, said Kamlesh
She added that the family had sensed things were going south for Chopra after Nadeem made an awesome throw.
“After Nadeem’s throw (92.97m) we had a feeling (that he will win gold) but he is also our son, we are happy with him.”
“He is also Asia’s son. We don’t differentiate between Nadeem and Neeraj. Both have got gold and silver and we are very happy,” she added. CH12 Hypertext – Multimedia – Digital Narratives
