Neeraj Chopra’s javelin throw gold in the ongoing Asian Games was historic. It was India’s first.
What made it more special, though, was the medal ceremony.
Standing next to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who won the bronze medal at the event, Neeraj shook hands and congratulated the cricketer-turned-javelin thrower.
It wouldn’t have been a big deal but we are talking about India and Pakistan, here.
Enough has been written about the sports rivalry between the two countries, over the years; but time after time, players across multiple sports have proven that they see each other as regular competition and nothing else.
Touched by the gesture, many people on both the sides of the border lauded the two athletes.
Why I always say SPORT is the best ‘education’you can provide your child with! Teaches you sportsmanship,equality ,respect and most importantly humanity! If only some people can learn this from our champion athletes too!! Well done to @Neeraj_chopra1 on the 🥇for 🇮🇳 👏🏽 https://t.co/YhyaRfbI9u
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) August 28, 2018
sportsmanship,equality ,respect and most importantly humanity well done 👍🏻 both of you for lovely msg sports always best https://t.co/SLAZLf6CbS
— Hassan Ali (@RealHa55an) August 28, 2018
Neeraj Chopra not only won a gold medal at Asian Games but also won hearts with his friendly sporting gesture towards Pakistan Arshad Nadeem
who settled for bronze in the same eventSPORT TEACHES MANY QUALITIES ,BEING HUMBLE STANDS A TOP SPORTS DONT MAKE CHARACTER :IT REVEALS IT pic.twitter.com/tatP1RjfVp— ashraf Khatana (@khatana_ashraf) August 28, 2018
Shareworthy! Indian champion Neeraj Chopra sharing a warm and friendly gesture with Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem during the medal ceremony of javelin throw at the #AsianGames2018 .@khatana_ashraf @arifamin16 @parawahid @bhatray @Umerwani99 pic.twitter.com/Z755kbYemW
— Muheet Gulzar (@GulzarMuheet) August 29, 2018
Such a nice gesture from both afterall we r nbrs and ex country mate as well🙂. Hope for better n brighter relation between both Countries
— QamarSKhan (@QamarSKhan2) August 28, 2018
Yes, we should spread love and peace among the people of pakistan and india❤
— Muhammad Haris Iqbal (@Muhamma25485059) August 29, 2018
Sport is undiscrimated and non-polluted part of everyone’s heart!!
— kloyauto (@kloy18842890) August 28, 2018
That’s something which every person can’t tell their kids or around because some just want hatred to be spread but #sport teaches u how to behave in all the circumstances and how to bridge the gaps and make friends world over and learn from them because Ur rival always teaches u
— Anant Kaur (@preittypink) August 29, 2018
21-year-old Arshad later expressed his admiration for Neeraj and how he wants to emulate him:
Neeraj is an amazing talent. I have competed with him about eight times now including the SAFF Championships in India and Asian Junior Championships. But he has a foreign coach and I don’t. His achievements inspire me and my goal is to emulate him one day, may be beat him too.
Both of them have made their countries proud and as for the picture, it will always be remembered as a happy memory reminding us that wanting to defeat your competitor and hating them because they belong to a certain nation, are two different things.
