Pakistan’s javelin throw star, Arshad Nadeem, had a touching response to Neeraj Chopra’s mother after she remarked that he was “like her son.” Nadeem made history by becoming the first Pakistani athlete to win an individual Olympic gold medal, securing the top spot in the men’s javelin at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters. This impressive feat surpassed Neeraj Chopra, who claimed silver with a season-best throw of 89.45 meters. After the event, when asked about Nadeem, Neeraj’s mother, Saroj Devi, said that Nadeem was like a son to her as well. Nadeem expressed his gratitude, acknowledging her kind words and stating that she is also like a mother to him.
“A mother is a mother to everyone, so she prays for everyone. I’m thankful to Neeraj Chopra’s mother. She’s my mother too. She prayed for us, and we were just two players from South Asia representing on the world stage,” Nadeem shared with Pakistani media after returning home.
In recognition of his achievement at the Paris Olympics 2024, Pakistan will honor Arshad Nadeem with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the country’s second-highest civilian award. The government has also announced the issuance of a commemorative stamp titled ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ (Commitment to Stability) to mark the occasion of the 77th Independence Day next week.
The 27-year-old athlete’s historic 92.97-meter throw not only earned him gold but also broke the previous Olympic record of 90.57 meters, set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This victory marks Pakistan’s first individual Olympic gold in 40 years.
Following a directive from President Asif Ali Zardari, his office sent a letter to the Cabinet Division for the formal conferment of the award. President Zardari praised Nadeem’s extraordinary performance, stating, “Arshad Nadeem’s remarkable achievement has made the nation proud on the global stage. His success in athletics is a source of immense pride for the country.”
