This mix of photographs reveals Pakistan’s first particular person Olympic gold medallist, Arshad Nadeem (left), and India’s Olympic javelin gold medallist Neeraj Chopra. — Reuters/File
KARACHI: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is about to conflict with India’s Neeraj Chopra on the Diamond League assembly in Silesia, Poland, on August 16.
This extremely anticipated faceoff marks their first encounter for the reason that Paris Olympics, the place Nadeem secured gold with a outstanding throw of 92.97 metres, whereas Chopra claimed silver with a throw of 89.45m. Grenada’s Anderson Peters fetched the bronze medal with a throw of 88.54m.
Nadeem’s participation within the Silesia occasion follows his current determination to withdraw from the World Athletics Silver Tour on July 15 in Switzerland.
The rivalry intensifies as Nadeem can be scheduled to compete in one other Diamond League occasion in Zurich on August 27, doubtlessly setting the stage for one more showdown with Chopra.
In a current media interplay, Nadeem opened up about his determination to skip the occasion, citing damage considerations.
“I’ve decided to withdraw from the Switzerland event due to a strain in my calf that I experienced during training here,” Nadeem mentioned whereas chatting with the media in Lahore.
“I don’t want the strain to worsen, so this decision is in the interest of my long-term fitness.”
Nadeem emphasised that his main focus remained on the World Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
“My entire focus is on the World Championship, which will be held in Tokyo this September,” he acknowledged. “I’m leaving for London on July 14 to resume training in a more suitable environment.
“I consider the standard of coaching and restoration in England will put together me effectively for each the Diamond League and the World Championship.”