Why Arshad Nadeem trumping Neeraj Chopra is as big as Pakistan’s cricket World Cup win vs India

New Delhi: In one of the greatest moments in Pakistan’s sporting history, Arshad Nadeem won the country’s first individual gold medal at the Olympic Games on Thursday. The tall javelin thrower stunned the sporting world by clinching the gold in the men’s javelin event at the Paris Olympics courtesy of a record-breaking throw of 92.97m. By doing so, Arshad also broke the hearts of millions of Indian fans, who were rooting for Neeraj Chopra to defend the Olympic title he won at the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Arshad’s gigantic throw on his second attempt was enough to claim Pakistan’s first gold at the Paris Games. The record-breaking throw laid down the marker for the rest of the field, which also included India’s ‘Golden Boy’. Neeraj responded with a huge throw of 89.45 but it was nowhere near the mark set by the Pakistani athlete.

Both throws, hurled in the second round, remained the best of the competition, enough to get Arshad a gold and Neeraj a silver.

It was a momentous occasion for the Pakistani athlete who had defeated an opponent against which he came second-best in all the previous encounters. In other words, before the historic Paris 2024 win, Arshad had lost all the previous duels against Neeraj.

Arshad ends the losing streak

Arshad and Neeraj’s rivalry dates back to 2016 when both athletes faced off at the South Asian Games 2016, Guwahati. Neeraj won the gold while Arshad finished third on the podium. In the next few years, the gulf between Neeraj and Arshad widened as the Indian kept improving with every passing tournament.

The closest Arshad came to beating Neeraj was at the World Athletics Championships 2023, Budapest when Pakistan finished second behind the Indian with a throw of 87.82m compared to Neeraj’s gold-winning attempt of 88.17m

After eight years of catching up, Arshad finally ended the 9-0 losing streak against Neeraj

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem: Head-to-head record (Updated till Paris 2024 Olympics)

Why Arshad Nadeem’s win is as big as Pakistan’s cricket WC win vs India

Arshad’s win over Neeraj is like Pakistan defeating India in the 2021 T20 World Cup to end the curse. Pakistan entered the 2021 T20 World Cup having never beaten India in 12 attempts in World Cup matches, but they finally broke the jinx in the 13th attempt with a crushing ten-wicket victory over Virat Kohli-led India at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

Relating to the historic victory, Pakistani cricket players and support staff celebrate the landmark moment in style.

Congratulations Arshad Nadeem! The whole nation is proud of your historic Olympic Gold Medal 🥇🌟

▶️ Pakistan Shaheens players react to Arshad’s remarkable achievement at #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/ambuGaEnP7

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 8, 2024

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 Before Paris 2024 Olympics win, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, remarkably, lost all the duels against India’s Neeraj Chopra.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today