New Delhi: It was quite a moment at the Asian Games when Indian gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra stood flanked by a Chinese and a Pakistani on the podium but said that he did not notice it as he was consumed by the national anthem.
Chopra broke the national record with a throw of 88.06m, while China’s Liu Qizhen (82.22m) and bronze to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem (80.75m) were distant second and third respectively in Jakarta. At the medal ceremony, it made for a great photo moment given the often volatile diplomatic dynamics between the three countries.
The picture of Chopra shaking hands with Nadeem on the podium went viral on social media with tennis star Sania Mirza tweeting that it showed why sports is the ‘best education you can provide your child with’.
Chopra said during the ceremony, his only attention was the national anthem. “I did not realise (at that moment) that I was standing with them. Seeing the Tricolour and with the rendering of the national anthem, I was then emotional. I was remembering the struggle and hard work I have done to reach to this stage,” Chopra told this agency from the Czech Republic, where he is training.
The 88.06m throw has taken him closer to his aim of going beyond the magical 90m mark but Chopra said the Asiad gold medal is as significant as the one he fetched in the Gold Coast CWG.
“I cannot choose between the two, both are significant and I am happy about that. The CWG effort was also a national record that time, it was more than my junior world record throw for the first time and also the first gold of a major multi-sporting event,” Chopra pointed out.
“In Jakarta, it was a bigger throw of over 88m and I am really happy to have done that distance. But I will not choose one over the other,” added the athlete.
“I am happy that I have been consistent the whole season, throwing over 85m in almost all events. I will now work harder to improve my performance”
Neeraj Chopra