Nine years ago in Guwahati, barely out of adolescence, flung a javelin 82.23 metres into the future. A few paces behind him was Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, managing 78.33 metres and a bronze at the 2016 South Asian Games.
Nobody blinked then. But what unfolded over the next few years was less about javelins and more about geopolitics, nationalism, optics, and outrage – in no particular order.
While India cheered the rise of a ‘superstar in the making’, Neeraj had no clue that his javelin would double up as a symbolic missile, hurled in every `India vs Pakistan` sports headline for the next decade. They met again that year – Asian Juniors, then World U20 Championships – same result: Neeraj ahead, Arshad almost there, still polishing the edges.
It was almost a pattern one had grown accustomed to over time.
China`s Liu Qizhen, gold medallist India`s Neeraj Chopra and bronze medallist Pakistan`s Arshad Nadeem at 2018 Asian Games (Photo: AFP)
Then came 2017, 2018. The Asian Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games. Neeraj soared. Arshad followed, never far behind, never quite overtaking. By the time the world crawled out of COVID-19, the Tokyo Olympics were upon us.
But nothing could match the build-up to Tokyo 2020, with Pulwama still fresh, and both athletes unknowingly weaponised as avatars of national pride.
India wanted gold, Pakistan wanted redemption.
What happened next was historic. Neeraj launched one of the most iconic throws in Indian history – 87.58m on his first attempt. Arshad, fifth with 84.62m, watched quietly. The world applauded, India erupted, Pakistan sighed.
Czech Republic`s Jakub Vadlejch (L), Neeraj (C) and Arshad (R) celebrate with their medals at 2023 World Championships (Photo: AFP)
As if for contrast, rumours swirled over something as trivial as Arshad ‘moving around’ with Neeraj`s javelin during the final. Neeraj’s comments became fodder for disputes and misinterpretations, that he was later forced into damage control with a video statement asking people not to twist words.
By 2023, Neeraj was a world champion in Budapest with 88.17m. Arshad won the silver with 87.82m. They smiled together, stood side by side posing under one Indian flag.
But it was Paris 2024 where the script flipped. Arshad finally did it – Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in 32 years, with a monstrous 92.97m throw. Neeraj, still at his best, at 89.45m, had to settle for silver. But now that Arshad had delivered on the biggest stage, suddenly, Pakistan had a ‘Neeraj’ of their own.
Neeraj (R) congratulates Arshad after the men`s javelin throw final at Paris 2024 (Photo: AFP)
The twist came earlier this year when Neeraj extended an invitation to Arshad to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Arshad declined, citing scheduling conflicts with his training sessions, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in south Kashmir that took 26 lives, mostly tourists. And so, Neeraj was accused of fraternising with the enemy.
Hostilities flared up once again last Sunday, as the Indian cricket team declined to participate in the customary pre- and post-match handshakes with Pakistan during their match. True to form, Pakistan responded with a full-blown tantrum as they do best – a post-match presentation boycott, letters to the ICC, and complaints about a match referee being too Indian-friendly. One former Pakistani cricketer took it a notch lower by hurling a derogatory slur at India’s T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, live on national television, cheered on by giggling panellists.
Now, amid this latest circus, Neeraj and Arshad are set to meet once more.
Will Neeraj bring the tricolour to the top again, seventh time lucky in Arshad’s presence?
Is another round of national pride on the cards, after India’s ruthless takedown of Pakistan barely five nights ago?
Will anyone watch the javelin without whispering ‘India vs Pakistan’ under their breath?
Still, after all that, the field awaits. Neeraj will throw again. Arshad, too. Today, when they share the runway, throwing the javelin one after the other, the real contest won’t be about metres alone. It’ll be about mental steel, and most importantly, shrugging off the burden of expectation.