Neeraj Chopra failed to defend his Olympic title as the India had to settle for a silver medal at Paris Olympics 2024. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem secured the gold medal with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m.
In a dramatic turn of events at the Paris Olympics 2024, India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra, despite his best efforts, fell just short of defending his Olympic title, settling for a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw final on Thursday. The nation, accustomed to seeing Chopra reign supreme, was left heartbroken as Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem outperformed the field with a record-breaking throw of 92.37m, setting a new Olympic benchmark.
ARSHAD NADEEM REWRITES OLYMPIC HISTORY WITH 9️⃣2️⃣.9️⃣7️⃣
Catch him in the Javelin final LIVE NOW on and stream for FREE on https://t.co/4IZVAsktjp pic.twitter.com/5gP5iRHgph
Neeraj Chopra gives it his all to make a 89.45 throw in the Javelin final at ! 🇮🇳🎯
Keep watching the Olympics action LIVE on & stream for FREE on 👈https://t.co/4IZVAsl18X pic.twitter.com/ubFpo64TkH
Neeraj, who had never lost to Nadeem in their previous ten encounters, could only manage a season's best of 89.45m, which earned him the silver medal. While this performance would have been celebrated under different circumstances, the expectations surrounding Chopra’s aura left many Indians yearning for gold. This sentiment reflects the high standards the 26-year-old javelin star has set for himself and the country.
Nadeem’s winning throw, the sixth-longest in the history of the sport, came as a shock to both the crowd and competitors at Stade de France. The previous Olympic record of 90.57m, held by Norway's Andreas Thorkildsen since the 2008 Beijing Games, was shattered as Nadeem stamped his authority on the event with a throw that will be remembered for years.
In his final attempt, Nadeem nearly extended his lead with a 91.79m throw, underscoring his dominance on the night. While Neeraj’s second-round throw of 89.45m was his only legitimate effort, it highlighted the fierce competition he faced in defending his title.
Despite the silver, Chopra’s achievement is nothing short of remarkable. With this medal, he becomes only the fourth Indian to win two individual Olympic medals, joining an elite group that includes Sushil Kumar, PV Sindhu, and Manu Bhaker.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing Chopra's continued brilliance, congratulated the athlete, stating, "Neeraj Chopra is excellence personified! Time and again he’s shown his brilliance. India is elated that he comes back with yet another Olympic success. Congratulations to him on winning the Silver. He will continue to motivate countless upcoming athletes to pursue their dreams and make our nation proud."
Chopra’s silver was one of five medals India has claimed at the Paris Games, including four bronze. Earlier today, the Indian men’s hockey team added to the medal tally by securing a second consecutive Olympic bronze, defeating Spain 2-1, thanks to a brace by Harmanpreet Singh and the goalkeeping heroics of PR Sreejesh.
Chopra’s journey from winning gold in Tokyo with a throw of 87.58m to claiming silver in Paris has been a testament to his consistent excellence. Yet, such is Neeraj Chopra’s aura that even a silver medal at the Olympics leaves a nation longing for more.
Here are some of the reactions on social media:
Pakistani looking set for a Gold Medal at the Olympics while India will end up with 0 Gold...
Paris Olympics has truly been cursed.
Neeraj Chopra got the only silver for us and we are still sad. Speaks a lot about his calibre pic.twitter.com/IboUeabXgI
— Sagar (@sagarcasm)- 5 fouls. ❌
- 1 successful attempt. ☝️
- 89.45M. 🎯
- Silver Medal. 🥈
NEERAJ CHOPRA EVEN ON HIS WORST DAY IS AN OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST...!!! 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/tpBd9PCF7N
Heart Break 💔 for neeraj Chopra 🙏 pic.twitter.com/PrHNA4QLuw
— Satyendra (@Satyendrajai73)Neeraj Chopra won the Silver Medal.. yet heart break
The standards Neeraj set at the age of just 26 are insane.. pic.twitter.com/xMb8nE1pwa
When a silver medal is a heart break you know what a player you are
Congratulations to Neeraj Chopra for bring the first silver and most likely the only silver in 💔
लगता है heart break Month चल रहा है 💔
Neeraj chopra ने सिल्वर पदक जीता है
No gold for India this time
Gold for pakistan after so long
Winning silver seems like a heartbreak for country 🇮🇳 this is the aura of neeraj chopra And Love from People
— The Poll Boy (@The_Poll_Boy)Neeraj Chopra made us think of a silver medal as a heartbreak, while the entire country was up at 1 watching a sport that is not cricket.
You're the champion, 💪
And of course congratulations to the gold medalist Arshad Nadeem! What a magnificent performance 👏
The aura of neeraj chopra is different silver it seems like a heartbreak for us but secure a 2nd place is well heartiest congratulations again champ 👏🏻 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1UEmjUoLr0
— Aaditya_ (@beingaaditya07)Winning silver is like heartbreak!!
This is Aura of Neeraj chopra.. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IDHwaxbc6t
Biopic of Neeraj Chopra just got even more interesting . An interval heartbreak that too from Pakistan. Full masala. Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost. pic.twitter.com/V0xQFOoPOL
— Prakhar | Data & AI consultant (@prpr311)This is just the era of Neeraj Chopra where even a silver medal feels like a heartbreak. He has set some bars. Still 89.5 was his best. Champ Still has a long way to go. We all have no complaints with you. All Indians are proud of you https://t.co/ZCyMgjuWJC pic.twitter.com/2QWPIIZY6j
— 𝕏//adi (@botinlovewithu)Winning silver seems like a heartbreak to us, this is the aura of Neeraj Chopra.
But a medal is a medal
Golden boy gets Silver this time ♥️