‘Arshad bhi mhara hi ladka hai’: Neeraj Chopra’s mother content with son’s silver at Paris Games

New Delhi: Moments after India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024, it was nothing short of a festival back in at his home in Khandra, Panipat. His mother, Saroj Devi was immensely happy with the result and his son’s stellar performance in the French capital despite him not being able to defend his gold medal. But… she had a heartwarming response to when she was asked about the medal difference from the Tokyo Olympics.

Neeraj had scripted history by bagging a gold medal at the Tokyo Games but was dethroned by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem in the ongoing Paris Games. Nadeem threw the javelin to a record-shattering 92.97 metres to trump Neeraj for a gold medal as the defending champion settled for a silver. Nadeem became the first Pakistani individual athlete to win an Olympic gold medal, also registering a new Olympic record with the throw.

Neeraj, meanwhile, finished with a best throw of 89.45 metres (season’s best) at the event, held at the Stade de France. It was his second throw of the six given, the rest five coming out as fouls, which forced him to a second-place finish. For Neeraj’s mother, it was all of the same sort as his home celebrated the huge triumph.

“For us, silver is also like gold… “Wo (Arshad Nadeem) bhi mhara hi ladka hai (the one who got the gold is also like our son),” Neeraj’s mother told ANI. She also reflected on how hard the athletes train and that it is their hard work that brings them medals.

#WATCH | Haryana: On Neeraj Chopra winning a silver medal in men’s javelin throw at #ParisOlympics2024, his mother Saroj Devi says, “We are very happy, for us silver is also equal to gold…he was injured, so we are happy with his performance…” pic.twitter.com/6VxfMZD0rF

— ANI (@ANI) August 8, 2024

The comment drew praise on the internet as well, as netizens hailed Neeraj’s mother for calling Arshad her own child. Even Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar praised her comment  as he took to his social media handle and wrote, “Gold jis ka hai, wo bhi hamara he larka hai”. Yeh baat sirf aik maa he keh sakti hai. Amazing.”

“Gold jis ka hai, wo bhi hamara he larka hai”.
Yeh baat sirf aik maa he keh sakti hai. Amazing.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 9, 2024

Choorma awaiting Neeraj

Neeraj has time and again stated his love for “desi food” which he drools upon and his favourite delicacy “choorma.” After his win in the French capital, his family is planning to welcome the two-time Olympic medallist with his favourite dish “He did really well. We will welcome him with choorma which is his favourite. I am delighted, people are lighting firecrackers, we are making ladoos,” Neeraj’s mother told PTI Videos.

With the silver medal triumph, Neeraj became only the third Indian and the first in track-and-field to win back-to-back individual Olympic medals. Though Neeraj and Arshad are arch-rivals on the field, they share a great bond and camaraderie off the field.

Full Coverage of Paris Olympics 2024

Know All About Paris Olympics 2024 Players

 It was a festive environment at Neeraj Chopra’s home in Khandra, Panipat after his silver medal win at the Paris Olympics 2024. His mother was elated and talked about her son’s feat.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today