Javelin ace Neeraj Chopra clarified he never had a close friendship with Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and things won’t be the same after the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Both Neeraj and Nadeem have been the face of their respective countries in the sport of javelin.

While Neeraj brought India in the javelin world map with a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Nadeem achieved the same four years later in Paris. Neeraj took silver behind Nadeem at Paris Olympics.

Speaking about their friendship ahead of the Doha Diamond League on May 16, Neeraj cleared the air between him and Nadeem. “First, we were never really close friends or something. And things won’t be the same after this (referring to the recent Indo-Pak tensions) but if someone talks to me respectfully I reciprocate the respect,” Neeraj told reporters.

Having competing with Nadeem since 2016 together at international events, Neeraj had invited his Pakistani compatriot at the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic – a first-of-its-kind javelin competition which was to be held in Bengaluru on May 24.

Although Nadeem declined the invitation, Neeraj faced social media criticism considering the time of the invitation with the Pahalgam terror attack (April 22) happening in the same period.

However, the Neeraj Chopra Classic was postponed indefinitely, after the rising tensions between India and Pakistan accross the border. “The decision has been made after careful thought and consultation, with the well-being of athletes, stakeholders, and the broader community as the top priority,” the organisers said in a statement.

Neeraj Chopra at Doha Diamond League

Having started his season with a top-of-the-podium finish at the Potch Invitational in South Africa, Neeraj will once again aim to stamp his authority at the Doha Diamond League on Friday. He will have the likes of Julian Weber, Jakub Vadlejch, Anderson Peters, Julius Yego as his rivals in the men’s javelin event.