New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem made history on 27 August as they dominated the podium at the World Athletics Championships. But it was their post-victory embrace, a continuation of their ‘bromance’ that captured the viewers’ attention.
Ex-Pakistani cricketer Rashid Latif called it an “indo-pak athletes love affair”, sharing images of their interaction on Twitter.
Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold In Javelin Throw At World Athletics Championship 2023 | well done Arshad Nadeem for achievements ( Indo-Pak Athletes Love Affair ) #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/hILJZ42zLH
— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) August 27, 2023
Chopra’s stellar effort of 88.17 meters secured India’s first-ever gold at the championships, closely followed by his Pakistani counterpart Arshad Nadeem’s impressive 87.82 meters.
Chopra and Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch who placed third were posing with their respective flags, when the Indian athlete called Naddem into the frame. The Pakistani didn’t have a flag with him but as they posed, the Indian flag was half-draped around him and Chopra extended his arm over Nadeem’s shoulder. This act of grace and camaraderie transcended the sporting arena and resonated deeply with people worldwide.
A Pakistani user Farid Khan expressed admiration for the deep respect between the two athletes
The love and respect between Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem is unmatched. Two world class athletes. The Pride of South Asia 🇮🇳🇵🇰❤️❤️ #WorldAthleticsChamps #WorldAthleticsChampionships2023 pic.twitter.com/j5RTzdSvNY
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) August 27, 2023
Users also pointed out that Nadeem not having a flag is a sign of disrespect by the Pakistani administration of its athletes.
#ArshadNadeem ("अरशद नदीम") could not get the #Pakistani flag🇵🇰which is a proof that #Pakistan's admin never respects its athletes and its people.
And the Pakistani athlete had to come under the Indian flag🇮🇳.
Congratulations Sir #NeerajChopra #goldenboy #GOLD #INDvsPAK https://t.co/xxRsgOkBUC
— Zahira Baloch (@ZahiraBaloch) August 28, 2023
Others used the opportunity to speak of love not hate between neighbours.
Neeraj Chopra called Arshad Nadeem for this beautiful click. Spread love not hate Between neighbours 🇵🇰❤️🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/SyWeddOvne
— ZaiNii💚 (@ZainAli_16) August 27, 2023
But the replies to the post were filled with mentions of Akhand Bharat and Akhand Pakistan, showing that sport-fuelled rivalry is still present.
Traditionally, the rivalry has been confined to cricket, with hockey also once being a fervent battleground.
The world athletics championships in Budapest showcased a nail-biting clash between Neeraj and Nadeem, a duel that held the audience in suspense until Nadeem’s final throw. The absence of a clear gold medalist until the very last moment added an extra layer of excitement, captivating fans globally.
Mutual respect
What sets this rivalry apart is the camaraderie between the two athletes. Chopra and Nadeem’s friendship is evident in their interactions, with Nadeem openly expressing his admiration for Chopra and calling him his inspiration.
This bond was on display during the Commonwealth Games in 2022, where Nadeem, after winning the gold, said, “Neeraj ki mujhe kami mehsoos hui hai…”, expressing how much he missed Chopra’s presence.
This friendship is not a recent development. Two years prior, Chopra had taken a stand against the trolling of his Pakistani contemporary during the Olympics. In a video message, he appealed for support and solidarity, highlighting their shared dedication to their sport transcending national boundaries.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)